After Errol Spencer withdrew from the game due to an eye injury, Youdenis Ugas will face Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, August 21st.
Urgas originally planned to face Fabian Maidana, the younger brother of the former two world champion Marcos Maidana, but the Argentine withdrew from the game because of an eye injury that closely resembled Spencer.
Entering the Ugas-Pacquiao main event battle, after the Cuban was promoted to the organization’s main champion due to Pacquiao’s inactivity, the story now shifts to who is the “real” WBA welterweight champion.
On paper, Pacquiao seems to have the upper hand over Urgas, because the Filipino still has the ability to punch and can grab opponents from strange angles.
However, Pacquiao should remain vigilant and cautious about the championship.
Ugas is a fighting type similar to Olympic boxers. He is not necessarily known for his punching ability—he only had 12 knockdowns—but he made up for it with skilled, perfectly timed shots.
A typical example is his failure in the highly controversial split decision against Sean Porter in 2019.
He stayed in the center of the ring for most of the game because he threw body shots most of the time, making Porter a more aggressive fighter.
This tactic allowed Ugas to win most of the games in the first few rounds, because his precise shooting and counterattack made Porter confused and unable to make too many punches.
Although Urgas was clearly the winner after 12 rounds, he still lost the game, but due to Porter’s outstanding performance, the judges have different views on the game.
Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao (left) will play against WBA welterweight champion Youdenis Ugas (right) in Las Vegas on Saturday
Photo: Getty Images North America/Steve Marcus
The last time Pacquiao entered the ring was in the game against Keith Thurman in July 2019. He looked so great and dominant in the victory of the split decision that many people jokingly wondered if he was really 40 years old. .
“Pacman” makes Thurman seem slow and inefficient, because he fires repeatedly from awkward angles and is connected to almost everything he throws.
Thurman was knocked down in the first round. Although he hits more shots than Pacquiao according to official boxing statistics, he seems to be trembling throughout the game.
After entering the battle, Urgas is expected to use his body shot as soon as possible to slow down Pacquiao’s speed, as he tries to weaken the endurance of the eighth champion into the late round.
Pacquiao will play smart and push Urgas to stand on the defensive end, keeping him spinning in the center of the ring when shooting outside, hoping that he can force Urgas into the ropes to make some quick combinations.
This does not mean that the Cubans will lay down for Pacquiao.
The defending welterweight champion is a very skilled counter-attack, and Pacquiao should be cautious with the Cuban’s right hand, because a clean shot can distinguish between further developing his legacy and repeating his mistakes. The disaster for Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.
Pacquiao-Ugaska starts on FOX PPV at 9pm Eastern Time, and the price is $74.99 for American audiences.
For Filipino viewers, they can live broadcast the battle Upstream PH go through .
