A must-win for Pacquiao in his 72nd fight
By Al S. Mendoza
MANNY Pacquiao fights again today, August 22 Philippine time, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The last time he fought was in July 2019, barely beating American Keith Thurman by split decision.
In that fight, Pacquiao won two of the three judges by similar scores of 115-112.
The third judge gave Thurman the fight 114-113.
It was that close.
Had Pacquiao not knocked Thurman down in the first round with a jarring right to the face, he might have lost the fight.
Pacquiao sustained that strong start till the middle rounds, but he somehow withered in the homestretch.
Thurman won three of the last four rounds in a strong finish that exposed Pacquiao’s weakening knees.
Those same knees can make or break Pacquiao against Ugas.
At age 42, Pacquiao is seven years older than the Cuban.
But obviously, the fighting senator is extra motivated because he climbs the ring bent on recapturing the crown unjustly stolen from him.
The World Boxing Association, citing inactivity, stripped Pacquiao of the world welterweight title and handed it to Ugas on a silver platter last year.
Pacquiao had elected not to fight while COVID-19 raged—is still raging—worldwide since March 2020.
“A world title should not just be handed down to anyone,” Pacquiao said. “It must be contested atop the ring.”
Although Ugas won his last three fights—two on points and the third on a technical decision in the seventh of a 12-round bout—his only decent credential was his bronze finish in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Before that, he won the gold medal in the 2005 world boxing championship.
So heavily favored is Pacquiao today that your bet of $350 for the eight-division champion would only earn you $100.
Your wager of $100 for Ugas nets you $275.
Still, the pandemic-plagued world will stop to watch Pacquiao gun for his 63rd win in 72 fights.
Pacquiao, 62-7-2, with 39 knockouts, maybe ageing, but his power isn’t waning.
That’s why I won’t be surprised if Pacquiao will make Ugas his 40th knockout victim.
The 5-foot-9 Ugas may also be enjoying a three inch margin in height, but Pacquiao has more than proven to fight better against taller opponents.
Did he not make mincemeat of the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto, who all towered over the 5-foot-6 Pacquiao?
Smaller but faster—that’s one big advantage that Pacquiao can exploit to the hilt over Ugas, who is slow-footed and, thus, easy to hit.
Ugas’s 26-4, win-loss record doesn’t include big-name fighters, and his 12 knockout victories were against no-name pugs.
Ugas, 35, would be lucky if he’d last the distance.
The Cuban winning is as remote as Grace Poe running for president again in May 2022.
Only a lucky punch can make Ugas carve the upset of the decade.
And take this: Pacquiao cannot afford to lose or his presidential plans next year could be in jeopardy.
The Filipino people are allergic to losers.
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