I’LL PAC IT IN
Legend Pacquiao admits he may quit ring after Ugas defeat
MANNY PACQUIAO admits he may finally retire after his shock defeat to Yordenis Ugas.
Pacquiao lost by a unanimous decision to Ugas in the early hours of yesterday at Las Vegas’ T-mobile Arena and says he will consider his future.
“I want to fight, but the thing is I have to consider my body,” said the legendary eight-division world champion (slipping over in the first round, right).
“You may not see Manny Pacquiao in the ring in the future. But I am so happy with what I have done in boxing. To all the fans, I really appreciate your efforts. I hope that during my 20 years in boxing I gave you enjoyment and happiness.”
Pacquiao, 42, is likely to quit the ring to focus on a burgeoning political career in his native Philippines.
He is a senator and will announce next month if he will run in May’s presidential election. “There’s a lot of things I need to accomplish to help people,” he said. “That’s my mission. I want to be an inspiration to all the people, especially the Filipino people.
“I’m a fighter inside and outside the ring, and look forward to getting back to the Philippines and serving the people in the Philippines. Congratulations to Ugas and his team.”
As well as Ugas, Pacquiao has been beaten by Father Time. He would easily have beaten the unremarkable Ugas a couple of years ago and trainer Freddie Roach admits it may be time to hang up the gloves after 72 fights and 26 years as a pro.
“I hate to see the day he retires, but this could be it,” said the Hall of Fame trainer. “He didn’t have a great performance tonight.”
Pacquiao had not fought for two years since beating Keith Thurman to win the WBA welterweight title and the lay-off took its toll.
Although he threw more punches than Ugas, the Cuban was far more accurate and particularly effective with his right hand.
He had success with his right – and jab – throughout the fight and marked Pacquiao’s eye in the third. He also stiffened Pacquiao with a couple of rights in the eighth and finished strongly in the 12th to win 115113 and 116-112 (twice) on the scorecards.
Ugas (left), who successfully made the first defence of his WBA Super belt, was only drafted in at 11 days’ notice when original opponent Errol Spence Jr failed a pre-fight medical.
Ugas, 35, said: “I’m a warrior. I’ve been doing this since I was six years old. We only had two weeks of training, but I listened to my corner and it all worked out.”
Ugas was Pacquiao’s 22nd fight in Las Vegas, 20 years after winning the IBF super-bantamweight title in his first. It will also probably be his last.