Yordenis Ugas was all smiles when his plane landed in Paradise, Nevada. The smile continued until it was time to enter the ring to fight Manny Pacquiao. But anyone who may have thought Ugas was just happy to share the ring with Pacquiao saw the smile disappear once the fighting began.
Yordenis Ugas used a simple but effective plan to upset the Filipino boxing legend. The Cuban bronze medalist was able to maintain distance and score points with his jab. The WBA Champion often followed up his double jab with a right hand to the body or a looping right hand to the head.
Ugas fought from a high guard that allowed him to pick off the punches with his gloves whenever Pacquiao came with an attack. He stayed composed and did not make any mistakes to leave himself open for a Pacquiao power punch.
Unified champion Errol Spence was supposed to be the man facing Manny Pacquiao last night. But Spence withdrew himself from the competition when a pre-fight medical exam revealed a torn retina.
Yordenis Ugas was training to fight Fabian Maidana on the Pacquiao-Spence undercard. But Ugas did not hesitate to take the Pacquiao fight on eleven days’ notice once the opportunity became available.
Ugas, who now sports a record of 27-4 with 12 knockouts, expressed his respect for Manny Pacquiao in the immediate aftermath of the fight. “I want to thank Manny Pacquiao for giving me this moment. “
Yordenis Ugas says he now wants to unify the welterweight title against Errol Spence. “Errol Spence is the next one on the list, I hope he recuperates.”
Manny Pacquiao is a veteran of 72 professional fights and the only man to win world championships in eight weight classes. The chance exists that the boxing match against Ugas will be the last for the 42-year-old legend.
Pacquiao was unsure when asked if he will ever fight again. “I don´t know. I need to relax and make a decision.”
Manny Pacquiao will soon be 43 years old. He aspires to become the president of his native Philippines in the future. And if last night was the end of his career, Manny Pacquiao leaves with a legacy as strong as anyone.