Manny vs Ugas

[sanatogen]

I'm inclined to view this as a positive for Manny.

No matter what Manny or anyone says about 2 years of inactivity being good for him, a real fight before facing a relatively young lion in Spence is a wise move.

[Master]

Manny Pacquiao vs Errol Spence Jr called off due to injury as late replacement called up

Errol Spence Jr will not fight Manny Pacquiao as planned but Yordenis Ugas has been called up as a replacement

Errol Spence Jr is out of his bout with Manny Pacquiao next week due to a torn retina in his left eye.

Yordenis Ugas, who was supposed to be defending his welterweight title on the undercard will now step up and replace him.

It means there will be a new opponent for boxing legend Pacquiao to prepare for at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He will return to the ring on August 21 where he will look to add another victory to his glittering career.

Pacquiao, 42, has been out of the ring for two years and was meant to return against Spence Jr.

Instead, he will now face Ugas and his long-time coach Freddie Roach insists the boxer is in terrific shape.

Roach said: "Manny doesn’t need to play his golden oldies. He is still producing new hits.

"He hasn’t cut one corner in training camp. Not one. He runs up the hills in Griffith Park straight to the Hollywood sign.

"He crunches thousands of sit-ups daily. He spars three days each week and hits every bag on the gym floor with bad intentions every day.

"He is still the hardest worker I have ever trained and an eager student. He wants this one more than anything.

"Manny isn’t training this hard to say goodbye. It’s to prove he’s still here. Philippine politics might influence when Manny hangs up his gloves.

"Maybe this is Manny’s last fight. But this summer, he has been training for his greatest victory, and for Manny, that is saying something.

"It’s the stuff that greatness is made of."

Pacquiao’s last match was against 32-year-old Keith Thurman in July 2019 in which he won.

He could have returned in a popular exhibition match for big payday like Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson have recently.

Instead, the legend wants to further enhance his legacy in the sport.

"I could have fought several easy opponents. I picked the best opponent because I want to add more to my legacy and accomplishments. I have to prove that I’m not done yet," he said.

"We have a strategy that we know how to use against a southpaw. He wants to fight toe-to-toe and that’s going to be to my advantage. We’re prepared for anything. If he wants to use his reach advantage instead, we are ready."

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxin...oxing-24731817