Comeback is real: What we know so far about the Pacquiao vs Ugas fight

It’s all systems go for the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title bout between Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao and defending champion Yordenis Ugas from Cuba.

Pacquiao, the only eight-division champ and former welterweight titleholder, was supposed to fight American Unified Welterweight Champion Errol Spence, Jr., who had to pull out due to a retinal tear that was discovered in a mandatory pre-fight medical exam.

As for Ugas, he was originally slated to defend his belt against Fabian Maidan as the co-feature of the Pacquiao-Spence card. The reigning titlist said, “It’s an honor to fight the great multiple division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, as I am more than ready to take on this challenge. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Pacquiao.”

So, what can boxing fans expect from the much-awaited comeback fight of the year?

Ugas: decorated amateur, not so much a pro
Pacman will be going up against an accomplished amateur boxer, who has achieved limited success in the professional ranks. Ugas (nickname: 54 Milagros) collected gold medals at the 2005 World Amateur Boxing Championships in China; the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia; and the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil as a lightweight. He also scored a silver at the 2005 Boxing World Cup in Moscow, and a bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Ugas, whose pro record stands at 26 wins (12 KOs) and four losses, went undefeated until his 12th fight, where he lost to Johnny Garcia via split decision. He has managed well against non-marquee boxers throughout his career, but fell to Pacquiao’s former sparring partner, Shawn Porter, in a controversial split decision for the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight crown two years ago.

This is where it gets interesting. The Cuban finally captured his first world championship, the regular WBA welterweight title, after beating Abel Ramos via split decision in September last year. Last January, the organization elevated Ugas as super (primary champion) at 147, after the WBA stripped—you guessed it—Pacquiao of the belt due to inactivity.

Latest chapter in the PH-Cuba boxing rivalry
Pacquiao vs Ugas will go down exactly a week after another Pinoy pugilist, Johnriel Casimero, defeated another Cuban, Guillermo Rigondeaux, via split decision for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight crown. Coincidentally, Rigondeaux also stopped the ‘Filipino Flash’ Nonito Donaire Jr. via unanimous decision during a bantamweight unification bout back in 2013.

Still, the Philippines’ biggest boxing victory over Cuba came at the hands of Mansueto ‘Onyok’ Velasco. He took down Yosvany Aguilera, 14-5, in the round-of-16 of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, en route to a silver medal.

Pacquiao the replacement
Pacman is no stranger to last-minute replacement fighters—being one himself. In 2001, he took over Mexican Enrique Sanchez, who got injured a couple of weeks before his bout against South African Lehlohonolo Ledwaba. Pacquiao made the most out of the opportunity and scored a technical knockout in the sixth round. He won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-bantamweight crown and this particular match started his legendary run in the US.

All the more reason for Pacquiao to be wary of his underdog opponent: “Ugas is in a similar situation. And he too is ready to make the most of this opportunity. I am not taking him for granted. In fact, I am taking him as seriously as I took Errol Spence. I will not make the same mistake Ledwaba made with me.”

With that explosive narrative in mind, you would want to watch the Pacquiao vs. Ugas fight legally, on August 22 at 9:00 a.m. through its official SVOD streaming partner, WeTV Philippines.

The platform first launched in 2019 in China, and is now available in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and India, among other territories—accelerated by its acquisition of the iflix brand and resources in the past year. It’s centered on delivering Asian content and original productions that users can stream anytime, anywhere, and on any device.

Catch the epic comeback fight between Pacquiao and Ugas on August 22 when you download the WeTV app today. To further enjoy your “Ultimate TKO sa WeTV” experience, be sure to avail of the limited VIP offer of P599 for an annual subscription.

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