Photo: AP
The undefeated American champion Errol Spence Jr. was forced to pull out from his fight with Manny Pacquiao due to an unexpected injury. As the replacement to save the August 21, 2021 card, Yordenis Ugas was brought in. He holds the “super” WBA welterweight crown Pacquiao used to own. The 5-foot-9 Cuban, formerly the “regular” WBA champion, was elevated to super status when Pacquiao was declared “champion in recess” due to inactivity.
In an article posted on Yahoo! Sports, Pacquiao said “We will fight for the title. That is the proper way a champion is crowned. That is not how you become a champion. You earn it by winning it inside the ring.” Ugas may not be as popular as Spence Jr., but Manny Pacquiao has the motivation to face the Cuban world champion this weekend giving him the opportunity to reclaim the title.
The 42-year-old Pacquiao added “I am not taking him for granted. In fact, I am taking him as seriously as I took Errol Spence Jr. I have had a great training camp and I am well-prepared. I want to prove to everyone, especially Yordenis Ugas, that I am still here. I still have the same hunger to win. I live for it.”
