By Brian Yalung
Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is all set to make his long-awaited return to the boxing ring on Saturday, Aug. 21 (Sunday, Aug. 22, Manila time) against WBA (Super) welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 35-year-old Cuban replaced Pacquiao’s original opponent, Errol Spence Jr., taking the fight despite short notice. Spence was forced to withdraw from the fight due to a retinal tear in his left eye.
Both fighters tipped the scales on Friday (Saturday in Manila) and made weight. Pacquiao weighed in at 146 pounds while Ugas was at 147 pounds.
Despite not having fought for two years, Pacquiao is a favorite to prevail over Ugas. This is despite concerns about the sudden change in the opponent and his fighting style.
The camp of Pacquiao had spent most of their preparations training for Spence, a southpaw. Ugas is a right-handed fighter, forcing the boxer-senator to scamper and adjust to the Cuban pug.
Boxing pundits gave their different opinions on whether this change of opponent and fighting style would be a problem for Pacquiao. This was aside from the fact that he will be returning from a long layoff.
Cam F Awesome, formerly known as Lenroy Thompson, appeared on the Sports Bytes PH podcast hosted by this writer and shared some insights on the Pacquiao vs. Ugas fight.
The 33-year-old American amateur boxer is best known for winning the US title in 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2014 as well as the Golden Gloves in 2009, 2011, and 2013 at super heavyweight.
“No, I don’t think it would factor in. I think it would be more difficult for a guy to realize he is fighting a southpaw at the last minute than for a southpaw to find out he is fighting an orthodox fighter,” Awesome said.
Awesome also added that at Pacquiao’s level, it hardly matters what kind of fighter the eight-time division champion faces.
“Manny Pacquiao, at that level, any guy can switch left or right on Manny Pacquiao… anybody at that level… it’s not going to make much of a difference. At that level, with their boxing IQs, that’s not going to make a difference,” he added.
But when asked about the long layoff, Awesome points out how age may still make a difference.
“Actually that is something against Manny Pacquiao because father age is still undefeated. So could this be the time that Pacquiao declines a little bit. I mean, he hasn’t shown any signs of it but it will happen eventually,” the 33-year-old boxer explained. -rir
