Manny Pacquiao is finally back. After more than two years away from the sport, the former eight-division champion will take on WBA welterweight titleholder Yordenis Ugas on Saturday in the main event of a PBC on Fox PPV card. The bout was initially Pacquiao vs. unified weltweight champion Errol Spence Jr., but a torn retina in his left eye forced him to withdraw from the event.
This was the week boxing fans had circled on their calendar as Manny Pacquiao was set to challenge Errol Spence Jr. for Spence's IBF and WBC welterweight titles.
However, as 2021 has shown boxing fans, you don't always get what you want as Spence had to pull out of the fight due to a retinal tear in his left eye. Instead of another megafight getting pushed back or scrapped all together, WBA 147-pound champion Yordenis Ugas will step up from the co-main event to challenge boxing's only eight-division world champion at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The senator from the Phillippines returns for the first time since July 2019 when he knocked Keith Thurman down in the first round on his way to a split-decision win to become the oldest fighter to win a world title, taking Thurman's WBA (super) belt at the age of 40. In an inexplicable move, the sanctioning body stripped Pacquiao of the championship and declared him the "champion in recess" and moved Ugas up full champion.
While 99 percent of fighters wouldn't taken on someone as tough as Ugas on short notice, Pacquiao wanted to please his fans and not waste an entire training camp with no clear result of the hard work he's put in. Some feel Ugas is an easy win for Pacquaio. But the 42-year-old has made it clear that despite the change in opponent, he isn't overlooking Ugas whatsoever and is excited at the fact all the hard training he put in won't go wasted.
"I want to tell the fans that I do not take Ugas lightly," Pacquiao said at the virtual presser on Wednesday. "It will be a great fight. It will be aggressive and I know I will make the fans happy."
Ugas was supposed to face Fabian Maidana in the co-feature of Pacquiao-Spence until Maidana suffered an injury during a training session last week. The Cuban has won three consecutive fights since losing to Shawn Porter in a close fight in March 2019. He last fought in September, defeating Abel Ramos viaa split-decision. The 35-year-old knows he's the underdog, but is going to leave everything he has inside the ring win, lose, or draw.
"I am someone who comes to fight and leave everything," Ugas said at the press conference. "It will be the biggest night of my career that I started at six years old. I think that what they are supporting me is not going to disappoint."
Can Pacquiao turn back the clock one more time? Or does "Father Time" catch to Pacquiao and Ugas is able to spring the upset?
Here is everything you need to know about Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas.
Date: Saturday, August 21
Main card: 9 p.m. ET/2 a.m. BST
Main event approx: 11:30 p.m. ET/4:30 a.m. BST
The Pacquiao vs. Ugas card takes place on Saturday, August 21. The main card begins at 9 p.m. ET in the United States and at 2 a.m. BST in the UK. Pacquiao and Ugas are expected to make their walks to the ring at around 11:30 p.m. ET and 4:30 a.m. BST, pending on the outcome of the earlier main card fights.
U.S.: Showtime
UK: Sky Sports
The card will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao is no stranger to competing in "Sin City." This will be the 22nd time Pacquiao has fought in the city, but the first time at T-Mobile Arena. It will the sixth time Ugas does battle in Las Vegas and the second time competing at the venue. Back in August 2017, on the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Conor McGregor undercard, Ugas beat Thomas Dulorme via unanimous decision.
Nationality: Filipino
Born: December 17, 1978
Height: 5-5 ½
Reach: 67 inches
Total Fights: 71
Record: 62-7-2 with 39 knockouts
Nationality: Cuban
Born: July 14, 1986
Height: 5-9
Reach: 69 inches
Total Fights: 30
Record: 26-4 with 12 knockouts
Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas for Ugas' WBA (super) Welterweight title
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Steven Torres vs. Justin Rolfe; Heavyweight
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