Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Manny Pacquiao mention Yordenis Ugas status as WBA (Super) welterweight champion because his belt was removed.
Ugas is a substitute fighter to face Manny Pacquiao. But the two also have a relationship and Pacquiao is enthusiastic about this match.
Pacquiao canceled against Errol Spence Jr. because the opponent suffered an eye injury. Ugas, who initially faced Fabian Maidana, was finally chosen as Pacquiao’s new opponent.
Pacquiao and Ugas themselves have a fairly strong relationship. Pacquiao’s WBA (Super) welterweight belt has been removed because Pacman has been inactive for too long. He last fought on July 20, 2019 and decided to focus on handling the Covid-19 pandemic in the Philippines last year.
When the belt was removed, the WBA then gave Ugas the status of WBA (Super) champion. Ugas was previously the WBA welterweight world champion.
“I’m not completely disappointed that my hard work has not been wasted. Ugas will come into the ring and bring the WBA belt for this fight, something that also excites me to fight.”
“The task of being a champion because of them [WBA] give me my belt. Now, we have to determine that in the ring,” Pacquiao said as quoted by Fightmag.
Pacquiao doesn’t care that his status in this match is as a challenger, not as a world champion. According to Pacquiao, the most important thing is the status of the two boxers when the match is over.
“Ultimately, I want to win the belt. I’m really excited for the title fight.”
“I don’t care about my status as challenger or champion ahead of this match. We’ll see together who will be world champion after August 21,” said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao was also grateful that Ugas was in the additional party schedule so that the organizers had no trouble finding a replacement fighter when Spence Jr. cancel the match.
“If there is no Ugas in the extra party, we will most likely have to cancel the fight.”
“Of course it’s a good thing we can fight against other world welterweight champions,” said Pacquiao.
[Gambas:Video CNN]
(ptr / jun)
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