Pacquiao Ousted By Yordenis Ugas For WBA Title

    Manny Pacquiao in 2016
    Manny Pacquiao in 2016. Photo by Masatoshi Okauchi/REX/Shutterstock (7524377a)

    Boxing veteran Manny Pacquiao was defeated by Yordenis Ugas in his challenge for the WBA welterweight title on Saturday, with Ugas winning by way of unanimous decision.

    Having retained his title, Ugas is now looking at unifying the welterweight titles, with his eyes now set firmly on IBF and WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.

    “I’m very excited, but most of all, I want to thank Manny Pacquiao for giving me this moment in this ring today,” an ecstatic Ugas announced following his victory. Ugas’s record now stands at 27-4, with 12 KOs.

    Ugas received little preparation time before the bout, having only received an invitation to the fight 11 days prior. Initially, Pacquiao was set to face Spence, however, this fight was cancelled after it was discovered that Spence had suffered a detached retina.

    Currently ESPN’s number six ranked welterweight, Ugas won the bronze medal for boxing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, representing his birth country of Cuba.

    Following the fight, there has been building speculation surrounding Pacquiao’s potential retirement. When questioned on the matter, Pacquiao simply explained that he is unsure and that further relaxation and contemplation will be needed before coming to a final decision.