Yorgenis Ugas worried fans will hate him for beating Pacquiao in his last fight

By Boxing News - 09/30/2021 - Comments

By Chris Williams: Yorgenis Ugas is concerned that fans won’t support him or will hate him because he defeated boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in the final fight of his pro career on August 21st.

Pacquiao officially retired earlier this week, choosing to end his 26-year pro career so that he run for the presidency of the Philippines in early 2022.

There’s a possibility that Pacquiao could return to the ring if he fails to get elected, but he’ll likely not fight Ugas. If Manny does return, it would be against someone like Errol Spence, Mikey Garcia, or Terence Crawford. There’s more money in it for Pacquiao if he fights those guys.

Fighting as a replacement opponent for the injured Errol Spence Jr., Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) successfully defended his WBA ‘Super World’ welterweight title with a 12 round unanimous decision over the 42-year-old Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) last Summer on August 21st.

Pacquiao fought well for a fighter in his early 40s coming off a two+-year layoff against Ugas, but he couldn’t beat the talented Cuban.

Ugas fought with just his right arm due to an injured left bicep, and he was able to get the better of Pacquiao by the scores 115-113, 116-112, and 116-112.

Image: Yorgenis Ugas worried fans will hate him for beating Pacquiao in his last fight

“A question. I was talking to some friends. By life things. It was Pacquiao’s last fight, I had the luck and opportunity to beat a great legend. Are boxing fans going to hate me, or are they going to support me ??? #PacquiaoUgas Yordenis Ugas @YordenisUgas.

“Pacquiao is retiring from being an active fighter but will continue to be a fighter, now entering the biggest and most important fight of his life for the presidency of his country. Serving his country is always the greatest honor of any man. Luck and success champ @MannyPacquiao,” said Ugas.

It’s likely that boxing fans will quickly forget about the Pacquiao vs. Ugas fight, as it wasn’t a huge one. It reportedly brought in lackluster PPV numbers because many fans lost interest in paying to see it after Spence suffered an eye injury in camp.

It’s going to be interesting to see if Ugas turns into a one-hit-wonder after his big win over Pacquiao. If Ugas loses his WBA title right away, boxing fans will conclude that the only reason he defeated Pacquiao is because of his advanced age, inactivity, and leg problems.

For Ugas to be well thought of by fans, he’s got to prove himself again by beating Spence, Terence Crawford, Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter or Conor Benn.