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Manny Pacquiao v Yordenis Ugas
WBA (Super) Welterweight Championship
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States
22 August 2021
Main card starts at 03:00 CAT
Legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao has hinted that his showdown with Yordenis Ugas for the
WBA (Super) Welterweight Championship may be the last fight of his professional career. The bout is set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, United States on the morning of Sunday 22 August 2021, with the main card getting underway at 03:00 CAT.
‘PacMan’, 42, is the only eight-division world champion in boxing history and regarded as one of the all-time greats of the sport. He was originally slated to face IBF and WBC Welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr, but the latter was forced to withdraw from the fight due to a retinal tear in his left eye.
Instead he will face 35-year-old Cuban Yordenis Ugas, who was elevated from Regular to Super WBA Welterweight Champion when Pacquiao was stripped of his title earlier this year for inactivity.
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It has long been thought that Pacquiao was in the twilight of his career, and even the Filipino himself has admitted that this could be his last trip to the ring, but hopes to put up a “spectacular performance” if indeed he does hang up his boxing gloves.
“I feel great. My team has full confidence in my capabilities even at 42 years old, and they note that I still have what it takes to face elite-calibre opponents. Although the recuperation period of a 42-year-old may not be the same as a 25-year-old fighter, I still love what I am doing. I’m enjoying training, and I’m learning more about myself every day,” said ‘PacMan’.
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“Everything is top secret, of course. I’m training and challenging myself daily, and I am inspired to perform at my best, owing to the fact that this might be my last fight. I’ve never given predictions. I always climb the ring ready and prepared for everything.
“Everything is at stake as this might be my last fight. I might as well finish the race with a spectacular performance,” continued Pacquiao. “Legacies are subjective to the minds of the fans. Of course, a win for me after so long out would be very grand for my country and family.”
Pacquiao was last in action in July 2019, defeating Keith Thurman via split decision, while Ugas’ last fight was a split decision win over Abel Ramos in September last year.
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Tale of the tape
Manny Pacquiao
Nickname: PacMan
Nationality: Filipino
Age: 42
Record: 62-7-2 (39 KO)
Height: 168 cm
Reach: 170cm
Stance: Southpaw
- Only eight-division world champion in boxing history
- Winner of 12 major world titles
Yordenis Ugas
Nickname: 54 Milagros
Nationality: Cuban
Age: 35
Record: 26-4 (12 KO)
Height: 175cm
Reach: 175cm
Stance: Orthodox
- Current WBA (Super) Welterweight champion
- Former lightweight amateur world champion
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