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sports Dialuna 23 augustus 2021

Manny Pacquiao loses to Yordenis Ugás by unanimous decision

(AP) — Although Manny moment in this ring today,” straight bouts since July
Pacquiao hasn’t decided Ugás said through a transla- 2017, but he hadn’t fought
what his future holds, tor. “We only had two weeks since beating Keith Thurman
the eight-division world of training, but I listened to in 2019 to win the WBA wel-
champion realizes his 26- my corner and it all worked terweight title.
year professional boxing out.”
career might have ended T-Mobile Arena appeared to That belt belonged to Ugás
Saturday night with a dis- be essentially sold out despite by the time Pacman returned:
heartening loss. the late opponent change, While Pacquiao’s political ca-
and the crowd of 17,438 was reer and the pandemic kept
Yordenis Ugás is only seven vocally behind its Filipino him out of the ring in 2020,
years younger than the Fili- hero. Even after a lengthy the WBA took away the belt
pino senator, yet he’s just layoff in the last stages of his and awarded it to Ugás, who
getting started after seizing career, Pacquiao remains a had won a different version
this improbable opportunity surefire draw and a bankable of the belt in the WBA’s byz-
to knock off one of the greats. star in a sport lacking both at antine championship system.
its highest levels.
Ugás beat Pacquiao by unan- wouldn’t confirm whether and age. The WBA’s decision irked
imous decision in Las Vegas, he will enter the Philippines’ Ugás had a clear game plan Pacquiao, who held various
putting on an impressive presidential race, as is wide- “I think it was too much hard on short notice, working hard welterweight belts for a de-
technical performance on 11 ly expected. He intends to work,” Pacquiao said. “But in the early rounds with an cade after he first moved up
days’ notice and retaining his make an announcement next I’m not young anymore. So I effective jab and body shots. to 147 pounds in 2009 and
WBA welterweight title. month. don’t know.” Pacquiao was more aggres- stopped Miguel Cotto in ar-
sive and occasionally got the guably his single greatest per-
“He’s a great competitor, but “In the future, you may not The victory was the culmi- crowd to its feet with combi- formance.
I came in here to show I am see Manny Pacquiao again to nation of a lengthy journey nations, but Ugás’ rangy jab
the champion of the WBA,” fight in the ring,” Pacquiao for Ugás, who defected from stymied him. On the undercard of Ugás’
Ugás said. “A lot of respect said. “I don’t know, but I’m Cuba two years after win- victory at T-Mobile Arena,
for him, but I won this fight.” so happy for what I’ve ac- ning a bronze medal in the Ugás’ confidence grew in Robert Guerrero returned
complished.” Beijing Olympics. Ugás quit the middle rounds, and he from a 23-month ring ab-
Ugás (27-4) capitalized on boxing for two years mid- responded to some action at sence with a unanimous de-
this chance as the late injury The 35-year-old Ugás threw way through the last decade, the seventh-round bell with a cision over fellow veteran
replacement for Errol Spence roughly half as many punch- but revitalized his career and defiant shimmy-shake of his Victor Ortiz, winning 96-94
Jr.. The Cuban veteran was es as Pacquiao, but his blows then capitalized on this gold- shoulders in Pacquiao’s di- on all three cards.
slightly better than Pacquiao were more precise and more en chance by earning his 12th rection. Pacquiao constantly
(67-8-2) throughout one of effective. Pacquiao was the victory in his last 13 fights. threw more punches than The 38-year-old Guerrero
the most frustrating fights in solid favorite before the bout, Ugás, but they landed about (37-6-1) had a strong second
the 42-year-old Filipino sen- but he struggled to get inside Ugás was in the spotlight only the same number as Ugás round and persevered with a
ator’s career. on Ugás’ effective jab while because Spence was forced to showed off his defense and high punch volume to beat
Ugás landed his right hand to drop out last week after dis- accuracy against Pacquiao’s the 34-year-old Ortiz (32-7-
“I did my best tonight, but my increasing effect in the later covering he had a torn retina activity. 3), who hadn’t fought in 42
best wasn’t good enough,” rounds. during a pre-fight physi- months. Ortiz was charged
Pacquiao said. “No excuses. cal. Ugás had been booked Pacquiao caught Ugás with with multiple counts of sex-
I wanted to fight for the title Two judges scored it 116- for a bout on the undercard, a combination in the 10th ual assault in 2018, but the
in the ring, and tonight the 112 for Ugás, and a third had but he jumped at the type round and knocked him back charges were dismissed late
champion is named Ugas.” it 115-113. The Associated of showcase and payday that as the crowd rose in excite- last year.
Press also scored it 116-112 had been just out of reach ment, but Ugás recovered
A visibly disappointed Pac- for Ugás. ever since he left Cuba on a and rallied with big shots. Filipino featherweight Mark
quiao said he hasn’t decided small boat bound for Mexico Ugás also looked sharp in the Magsayo (23-0, 16 KOs) also
whether he will fight again Pacquiao also said his legs 11 years ago. 12th round, peppering Pac- preserved his unbeaten re-
after an unimpressive perfor- were cramping from the quiao all the way to the final cord with a dramatic 10th-
mance in his return from the second round onward. He “I’m very excited, but most bell. round knockout of Julio
longest layoff of his quarter- attributed the problem to a of all, I want to thank Manny Ceja, who was ahead on all
century in the sport. He also combination of overtraining Pacquiao for giving me this Pacquiao had won three three judges’ scorecards.

Kane selected as substitute for Tottenham

at Wolves in EPL

(AP) — Harry Kane was hampton on Sunday, pav- the 1-0 loss to Pacos de Fer-
selected as a substitute ing the way for his first reira in the Europa Confer-
for Tottenham’s Premier appearance of the season ence League on Thursday.
League match at Wolver- amid intrigue about his Kane is reported to have told
potential move to Man- Tottenham at the start of the
chester City. offseason that he wanted to
leave and has been widely
The England captain re- linked with a move to City.
turned late to preseason and
was not deemed fit enough to City manager Pep Guardiola
even be on the bench for Tot- has said he is “very interest-
tenham’s 1-0 win over City ed” in signing Kane, but that
last weekend in the opening Tottenham must be willing
round of the league. to negotiate for a deal to be
made.
He didn’t travel with the Tot- The summer transfer win-
tenham squad to Portugal for dow closes on Aug. 31.