Manny Pacquiao Loses To Yordenis Ugas On Return To Ring After 2yrs Break

"I'm very excited but most of all, I want to thank Manny Pacquiao for giving me this opportunity in the ring today. We only had two weeks of training but I listened to my corner and it all worked out.

Manny Pacquiao was defeated by Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas on his return to the ring after a two-year absence, winning by unanimous decision and retaining his WBA (super) welterweight title.

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Ugas was only called up for the Las Vegas fight on August 10th to replace the injured Errol Spence Jr.

The eight-division world champion, who now has a has a record of 62 wins, eight defeats and two draws was fighting for the first time since defeating Keith Thurman for the WBA welterweight title in July 2019.

When asked if it was his final fight, the 42-year-old said, “I don’t know. I need to relax and make a decision.

“That’s boxing. I had a hard time in the ring making adjustments. My legs were tight. I’m sorry I lost tonight, but I did my best.”

Pacquiao, a politician in his home country, was stripped of his WBA title in January due to inactivity.

Ugas defeated Abel Ramos in September 2020 for the vacant WBA regular welterweight title before being elevated to WBA super champion after Pacquiao was stripped of the belt.

The 35-year-old was scheduled to defend his title against Fabian Maidana but was bumped to the undercard to face Pacquiao.

Ugas dominated with his jab and clean punching to win on all three cards at the T-Mobile Arena, 115-113, 116-112 and 116-112.

“I’m very excited but most of all, I want to thank Manny Pacquiao for giving me this opportunity in the ring today. We only had two weeks of training but I listened to my corner and it all worked out.

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“I told you I am the champion of the WBA and I showed it tonight. A lot of respect for [Pacquiao], but I won the fight,” said Yordenis Ugas, who now has a record of 27 wins and four defeats.

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