FILE –Yordenis Ugas (L) punches Manny Pacquiao during their WBA welterweight title fight at T-Mobile Arena on August 21, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ugas retained his title by unanimous decision. Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—Yordenis Ugas is more than willing to give Manny Pacquiao a rematch.
Ugas upset Pacquiao on Sunday (Manila time) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to retain the WBA (Super) welterweight title.
“Two-hundred percent,” Ugas said in the post-fight press conference on a potential second meeting with the eight division champion.
“You know, Manny’s a great legend, great fighter. You know, if he wants a rematch, no question about it. You know, a legend like that deserves it.”
Ugas used his height and reach advantage to the fullest against Pacquiao, who had a hard time cracking his guard.
The 35-year-old Cuban, who is seven years the junior of Pacquiao, neutralized the Filipino ring icon’s aggression with his timely jabs and an effective overhand right.
A rematch, however, is highly unlikely at this point with Pacquiao appeared to be leaning toward retirement as he also mulls running for the Philippine presidency.
After scoring the biggest win of his career, Ugas offered nothing but high praise for Pacquiao.
“I wanna thank Manny Pacquiao for sharing the ring with me,” Ugas said.
“He’s a great legend, one of the greatest fighters that ever lived. So, I’m always gonna respect him. I’m always gonna look up to him because not only is he a great fighter, he’s a great human being and a class act.”
