By Chris Williams: Yordenis Ugas took the high road in showing class in his response to Manny Pacquiao saying he was one of his “easiest opponents” of his career by letting him know that he’ll give him a “rematch” and that he has “respect” for him.

Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) says he still needs to decide whether he wants to fight Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) again after losing to him by a 12 round unanimous decision last Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Rather than giving the WBA ‘Super World’ welterweight champion Yordenis praise for beating him last weekend, the 42-year-old Pacquiao blamed his loss on having leg cramps early in the contest that prevented him from moving like he would have done.

Moreover, if that wasn’t enough, Pacquiao commented that Ugas was one of the “easiest opponents” of his career in an interview with The Athletics.

It’s unclear why Pacquiao said that. I mean, it was enough that Manny was blaming his loss on having the cramps.

He didn’t need to throw in the bit about Ugas being one of his “easiest opponents” to give him an out with the fans. That just made Pacquiao seem bitter, which he already did with him coming up with the leg cramps excuse.

“#PacquiaoUgas Pacquiao is a legend. He is still a great boxer. A man of honor below and above and loved by all. If he wants revenge with pleasure he would give it to him. I continue to respect and admire him for all that he has accomplished inside and outside of that ring,” said @Yordenisugas.

Pacquiao should think hard before he takes the rematch with Ugas because if he loses a second time to the talented Cuban, he’ll have to face the bitter truth that wasn’t good enough.

Also, if Pacquiao starts making more excuses about cramps, it’ll make him look pathetic.

There’s a huge upside for Pacquiao if he faces Ugas in a rematch, as if he wins, he’ll have that victory going into the presidential election in March in the Philippines.

Having a win over Ugas next January might be the tipping point to win Pacquiao the election. The downside of Pacquiao fighting Ugas again is that he could lose to him even worse and possibly get knocked.

If Pacquiao stops, no excuses he dreams up will give him cover for the loss. It would be a pure disaster for Pacquiao in terms of his political career, considering he would be campaigning off the back of a second defeat.

Assuming Pacquiao does get beat again by Yordenis, he would look a lot better if he takes responsibility for the defeat rather than coming up with excuses.

Pacquiao’s boxing fans in the Philippines will respect him more if he admits that he tried, but he wasn’t good enough. He shouldn’t use his age or any injuries to justify what happened to him.