Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/boxing/article/3144668/manny-pacquiao-relishes-yordenis-ugas-fight-after-errol-spence-injury Boxing
Manny Pacquiao relishes Yordenis Ugas fight after Errol Spence injury – ‘this is the one who took my belt’
- Filipino boxing icon will now challenge Cuban Ugas, who was given the WBA super welterweight title after Pacquiaio was stripped for ‘inactivity’
- The fighting senator says he’s praying for Spence’s ‘full and complete recovery’ with the American suffering a torn retina
Manny Pacquiao poses for the media at Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles. Photo: AFP
Manny Pacquiao is determined to win back the belt he never lost after accepting a late-notice fight against Yordenis Ugas following Errol Spence Jnr’s withdrawal from their August 21 bout.
The Filipino boxing icon was set to face IBF and WBC welterweight champ Spence in Las Vegas, but the American suffered a torn retina in training. Pacquiao will now challenge Cuban Ugas for the WBA super welterweight title on the same date in Las Vegas.
“I came back from worse,” Spence wrote in a series of tweets. “Went to three different doctors, all said the same thing. I’ll be back for the winner for sure. I was taught to get through it and keep going.”
“I pray for a full and complete recovery for @errolspencejr,” Pacquiao tweeted.
“We’re not underestimating Ugas,” he later told Philippines media at trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles on Tuesday. “We should make sure we’re still focused and then we’ll win.
“It’s the WBA world championship, so it’s still a big fight. It’s a great honour for us.”
Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) was awarded the belt after the WBA stripped 42-year-old eight-division world champion Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) in January because of “inactivity”.
The fighting senator had claimed the belt from American Keith Thurman via split decision in July 2019, but has not fought since.
“This is Ugas, this is the one who took my belt that was given to me by the WBA, that we didn’t fight,” Pacquiao said. “So this is a good thing.”
Errol Spence Jnr celebrates after a unanimous decision against Danny Garcia in Arlington, Texas, on December 5, 2020. Photo: TNS
The 35-year-old Ugas was originally set to defend his title against Fabian Maidana on the undercard at the T-Mobile Arena, but the Argentine also had to withdraw through injury.
“Ugas is in shape too,” Pacquiao said. “Good thing he was on the undercard. Coincidentally, Ugas’ opponent, here on my undercard, was also injured, he had a headbutt. So he can’t fight.
“It seems like a coincidence or something. But I believe that it’s God’s plan. It happened that way for a purpose.”