SPORTS NEWS
Pacquiao bows to Yordenis Ugas
Photo credit: Premier Boxing Champ/ Boxing 24/7
Published on:
Aug 22, 2021
Jasper M. Lacar
Jasper M. Lacar is a current 3rd year BS Medical Laboratory Science Student of Cagayan State University - College of Allied Health Sciences. He is also the Sports Editor of the Likha Pahinarya.
Pinoy boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao bows to Yordenis Ugas; fails to reclaim WBA super welterweight title.
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Defending champion Yordenis Ugas delivered 'Pambansang Kamao' Manny Pacquiao’s 8th professional loss via unanimous decision to retain his WBA super welterweight title held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas today.
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Both D. Moretti and S. Weisfeld scored the bout 116-112, while P. Morse Jarman scored it 115-113 in favor of Ugas.
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After a two-year absence in the ring, eight-division world champion Pacquiao managed to display his speed and punches early in the fight.
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But the much taller Ugas, 5’9”, threw a few but accurate punches to Pacquaio, targeting first his head then to the body.
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In round 2, the 35-year-old Ugas delivered a strong body punch, then 2 left jabs to the head of his foe that inflicted a cut on Pacquiao’s right eye before the latter was saved by the bell.
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Both boxers exchanged solid punches in the middle rounds, with Pacquiao sending Ugas to the corner of the ring behind fast punches. However, the latter landed more accurate punches than the former.
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Ugas connected with a powerful right punch that made Pacquiao lose his balance for a few seconds in the last 2 minutes of the 12th round.
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Determined, Pacquaio pressed his attack in the last minute of the round with a flurry of punches combined with speed. Yet,8 Ugas remained firm with his accuracy in punching.
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When asked if Ugas’ combination of double jabs plus body punch was the key to defeat the ‘people’s champ’, he answered that it was just a ‘lead punch’ and they only took 2 weeks of training to make it all workout.
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“For the Cuban people, I came out in a massive amount to come and see me. And, so for the country and for life,” Ugas added.
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“I was having a hard time in the ring, making adjustments about his style. I think that was the problem for me because I didn’t make adjustments right away and also my mixed styles,” Pacquiao admitted.
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Ugas has now a record of 27 wins, 4 losses, and 12 knockouts. Pacquiao, on the other hand, has 62 wins, 8 losses, 2 draws, and 39 KOs.
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Final Scorecard
D. Moretti: 116-112 UGAS
S. Weisfeld: 115-113 UGAS
P. Morse Jarman: 116-112 UGAS