By Olu Allen
Yesterday, Yordenis Ugas defeated Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision (115-113, 116-112 x 2) as he defended the WBA welterweight title.
Pacquiao had admitted in the lead-up to the fight that he was unsure if it would be the last of his career.
The 42-year-old looked a very different version of himself to the own that fought Keith Thurman, struggling to deal with Ugas’ counter game. It leaves his career in doubt, with it unclear whether Pacquiao would retire after a defeat.
Pacman was the heavy favourite for the bout, with Ugas taking the fight on just 11 days’ notice after Errol Spence Jr. pulled out with an eye injury.
Manny was controversially stripped of his WBA title on grounds of “inactivity” earlier this year despite the global disruption to boxing caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The WBA instead handed the belt to Ugas, a fact that upset Pacquiao.
Pacquiao showed his power early with a right hook and two left hands to the side of Ugas’ head.
Ugas though was using his jab well to keep his distance and also went to the body late and a left hand ended with Pacquiao hitting the ground but no knockdown was scored.
The Cuban was not throwing as much but more accurate early, using his distance effectively.
Pacquiao brought the crowd to its feet in the third with a big left and lunge that sent Ugas to the ropes, finishing the busier of the two with solid flurries to end the round.
Pacquiao continued to pepper Ugas with spurts of intensity but Ugas countered them perfectly and was giving him a world of trouble.
Instead, Ugas turned up the heat for the following rounds and Pacquiao could not find the knockout blow, falling short.
The undefeated Pacquiao’s protégé, Magsayo dropped Ceja in the first round with a monstrous left hook, before the Mexican fought his way back into the fight and dropped Magsayo in the fifth.
But just when it looked like Ceja had taken control, Magsayo found a second wind; a big right hand in the 10th putting Ceja out against the ropes, before the 26-year-old landed one more to put his rival on the canvas.
Two special right hands ultimately saved Magsayo, who was behind 87-82, 86-83, 86-83 on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage.
Below is the result for the main card:
Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas — 12 rounds — WBA welterweight title.
Robert Guerrero def. Victor Ortiz — via unanimous decision (96-94 x 3) — welterweight.
Mark Magsayo def. Julio Ceja — via 10th round KO — WBC featherweight title eliminator.
Carlos Castro def. Oscar Escandon — featherweight — via 10th round TKO
