While Manny Pacquiao (8 Division World Champion) is busy helping its Filipino constituent in the distribution of relief goods and fighting COVI19 as a Philippine Senator, others are arguing who has the right to face him after the pandemic is gone.
The number 1 WBA welterweight contender Yordenis Ugas (25-4-0) from Cuba said he is preparing to face either Errol Spence (IBF & WBC Welterweight Champion) or Manny Pacquiao (WBA Super World Welterweight Champion). Since he ranked number 1 in WBA, he has a good chance of landing a lucrative fight if WBA sactioned them to a mandatory fight.
Yordenis Ugas is a good fighter but not an elite one. He was defeated in a split decision fight by Shawn Porter. It a controversial fight but still Porter won. If he will be able to land a fight with “The Living Legend” Pacman Pacquiao, he has a lot to gain and nothing to lose, while it is not favorable for Pacquiao, career and money wise. Other fighters who are eyeing for a Pacquiao fight are Danny Garcia (former undisputed Light Welterweight Champ) and Mikey Garcia.
As most of the boxing fans know, Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2) wants to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr to settle the score. Yet there are possibilities that he can fight either Errol Spence or Terence Crawford (WBO Welterweight Champion) to determine who is really the best welterweight in the planet. It will also result in a Lineal Champion in the Welterweight Division since it is still vacant. A lineal champion is the best in the division according to Ring Magazine. Manny Pacquiao is the only one who won 5 Lineal Championship in 5 different division. Becoming a Lineal Champion in Welterweight Division will be his 6th. Another history in the making.
If this reporter will be asked, I prefer Manny to fight Errol Spence to unify the IBF, WBC and WBA belt plus the Lineal Championship. It will be a blockbuster event that surely be awaited by boxing afficionados, but that remains a wish because Errol Spence still has to recuperate. I expect them to bang gloves late this year, most probably.
Manny Pacquiao can possibly also fight a Russian fighter who holds the regular WBA welterweight belt, Alexander Besputin. But It is not a popular fight for him just like a fight with Ugas.
In the picture you’ll see the WBA Welterweight Ranking. Look if your favorite welterweight fighter is on the list.
I will keep you posted on the development in Philippine sports event in my future blogs.
Image source: Boy Bakal YT Channel
