Manny Pacquiao will fight for the 72nd and potentially final time in his illustrious career when he faces Yordenis Ugas in a welterweight world title showdown this Saturday in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) was set to face IBF and WBC world champion, Errol Spence Jr, but the Texan was forced to withdraw last Tuesday after suffering a torn retina to his left eye, with WBA ‘Super’ titlist, Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) moving into the main event.
‘Pacman’ ends a lay-off of over two years and has the chance to regain the belt he secured with a split decision over Kieth Thurman in his las outing in July 2019, but was subsequently stripped of in January due to inactivity, with his rival elevated from ‘Regular’ to ’Super’ champion.
Ugas was supposed to face Fabian Maidana on the undercard, although the Argentine was also forced to withdraw reportedly with a similar eye injury to Spence and the Cuban now has an opportunity of a lifetime.
Pacquiao, a full-time senator in his native Philippines will break his own record with victory by becoming the oldest welterweight champion in history at 42-years-old, with the current record standing at 40-years-old set by him after his win over Thurman.
Ugas, 35, has won three on the spin since a split decision defeat to Shawn Porter in a previous attempt to become WBC titlist and most recently edged Abel Ramos to claim the ‘Regular’ strap in September, prior to the WBA’s decision to elevate him.
Pacquiao vs Ugas – Date and Venue
- Pacquiao and Ugas clash on Saturday 21 August at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, USA.
Pacquiao vs Ugas- How To Watch It
- The fight card will be broadcast on FOX Sports pay-per-view in the USA.
- The fight will be shown on Sky Sports Action in the UK and Ireland.
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Pacquiao vs Ugas – Start Time
- Coverage will start on Sky Sports Action at 02.00am UK time with Pacquiao and Ugas set to ring walk no earlier than 04.00am UK time.
Last Three Fights
Manny Pacquiao
- Manny Pacquiao bt Keith Thurman – SD – July 2019
- Manny Pacquiao bt Adrien Broner – UD – January 2019
- Manny Pacquiao bt Lucas Matthysse – 7th round TKO – July 2018
Yordenis Ugas
- Yordenis Ugas bt Omar Figueroa Jr – UD – July 2019
- Yordenis Ugas bt Mike Dallas Jr – 7th round RTD – February 2020
- Yordenis Ugas bt Abel Ramos – SD – September 2020
What Has Been Said?
“What I can say to the fans is that this is definitely not an easy fight,” Pacquiao said on a media Zoom conference call.
“Ugas is a champion because they gave him my belt. Now, we have to settle it inside of the ring. I cannot take him lightly, because he’s the kind of fighter who will take advantage of that.
“I would tell the fans not to miss this fight. This is going to be a really good one.
“I’m sure that me and Ugas are going to give a fight full of action. I’m excited to see everyone in Las Vegas on August 21.”
“When I got the call that I was going to face one of the best fighters in history, it just pushed my excitement to new highs,” Ugas said on a media Zoom conference call.
“I can’t wait to show everyone what I’m capable of.
“I got elevated to being the WBA champion in January, but now we can say that whoever wins on August 21 is the true WBA welterweight world Champion.
“Fighting Manny Pacquiao is very significant to me. It means the world to me. I’m not fighting for the money, I’m fighting for my legacy, and for my country.
“This is the most important fight of my life.”
Undercard
- Mark Magsayo vs Julio Ceja – WBO International featherweight title
- Victor Ortiz vs Robert Guerrero – welterweight
- Carlos Castro vs Oscar Escandon – featherweight
- Frank Martin vs Ryan Kielczweski – lightweight
- Jose Valenzuela vs Esteban Sanchez – lightweight
- John Dato vs Angel Antonio Conteras – featherweight
- Steven Torres vs Justin Rolfe – heavyweight
- Burley Brooks vs Cameron Sevilla Rivera – super middleweight
- Mickel Clements vs TBA – lightweight
