Pacquiao thanks fans who showed up amid pandemic in possible swan song

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 21: Manny Pacquiao gestures to fans after his WBA welterweight title fight against Yordenis Ugas at T-Mobile Arena on August 21, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ugas retained his title by unanimous decision. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Ethan Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

MANILA, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao may have failed to regain the title that was stripped from him but he never forgot to show his appreciation to the partisan crowd that supported him inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fighting in his first match after more than two years, Pacquiao suffered a unanimous decision loss to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas as he failed to reclaim the WBA Super welterweight title Sunday (Manila time).

“Well I’m so thankful to the fans who witnessed the fight live, I’m really appreciative of your efforts,” said Pacquiao, who hinted that he may not return in the ring, after the fight.

Thank you to the fans all around the world who were watching. Thank you to every Filipino that has ever supported me. I’m so proud to represent my country. I’m sorry I could not give you a win, but I did my very best. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! God bless you all! 🇵🇭

— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) August 23, 2021

Pacquiao’s previous bout was back in July 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman for the WBA (Super) crown. The Filipino ring icon, however, was eventually relegated as the WBA champion in recess due to inactivity.

The 42-year-old southpaw previously said he didn’t want to fight last year due to the pandemic.

Ugas, meanwhile, won the “regular” WBA title in September 2020 but was elevated to Super status at the same time Pacquiao got stripped of the title.

“Despite the pandemic, you had time to watch the fight live. I’m sorry we lost tonight but I did my best and I apologize.”

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