With undefeated WBC/IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence recovering from retina surgery, all eyes are on WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas.
He stepped up from the card’s co-main event and will defend his title against eight-division world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, this Saturday, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I was in very good shape since I had recently fought in the Philippines and had just begun to work with Freddie,” said Manny.
“I was a day away from going home to the Philippines when the fight was offered to me. I was so excited. This was a great opportunity. There was no way I was going to pass it up. Freddie and I worked every day those two weeks until the weigh-in. That is how we started to get to know each other. Ugás is in a similar situation.”
“He was already training for a welterweight title fight on the same card as mine so he too is ready to make the most of this opportunity. I know what Ugás is feeling because twenty years ago I was Ugás. 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. I still have the same hunger to win. I live for it. I have had a great training camp and I am well-prepared. I want to prove to everyone, especially Yordenis Ugás, that I am still here. My title was given to Ugás. That is not how you become a champion. You earn it by winning it inside the ring. We will fight for the title. That is the proper way a champion is crowned.”
