Manny Pacquiao open to rematch with Ugás
Manny Pacquiao is not ruling out a rematch with WBA champion Yordenis Ugás, following his loss to the Cuban by unanimous decision over the weekend.
The 42-year-old eight-division champion told The Athletic website that he may return in January to once again battle Ugás, despite facing imminent retirement.
“Yes, I can come back in January. I’ll see about it,” Pacquiao told the website. “I know I can rematch him if I want to. I just have to tell (promoter) Al Haymon. That wouldn’t be a problem,” added the Philippine senator.
He told The Athletic that the thought of the rematch appealed to him because he still could not get over the nature of his defeat.
Pacquiao: legs failed me in fight
Despite his loss, Pacquiao described Ugás as one of the easiest opponents he has faced. He has blamed cramping in his legs for his inability to fight in his usual style.
He believed that Ugás should not have been able to touch him, but admitted that when he tried to move around the ring, his legs just stopped.
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Ugás open to second match with Pacquiao
Ugás said post-fight that he was open to a possible second match with the boxing star. He said that a legend like Pacquiao merits that opportunity.
After his deserved win, Ugás had nothing but praise for Pacquiao, and thanked the Filipino for sharing the ring with him.
The 35-year-old fighter- despite being a last-minute replacement for undefeated Errol Spence Jr.- neutralized the PacMan’s aggressive style with clinically-precise jabs and powerful overhand rights.
Pacquiao to run for president?
Pacquiao had hinted shortly after his defeat in Las Vegas that it may have been his last match. He is considering a bid for the Philippine presidency next year, and said that he wants to serve the Filipino people.
But judging from his latest remarks, it seems like the ring icon may not be quite ready to hang up his boxing gloves just yet.