Philippines, 01 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Manny shrugs off Ugas’ tactics


PhilBoxing.com




LAS VEGAS. In a typical class act, Manny Pacquiao declined to comment on the underhanded tactics that WBA welterweight super champion Yordenis Ugas employed in hacking out a win by unanimous decision to retain his crown at the T-Mobile Arena here Saturday night.

In the first round, Pacquiao motioned to Ugas to keep his punches up and before the bell to end the stanza, the Cuban pushed him down to the canvas in a crass show of physicality. Referee Russell Mora stepped in to warn Ugas for another low blow in the second. Another low blow by Ugas in the fifth should’ve prompted Mora to deduct a point but was let go. In the ninth, Ugas pushed Pacquiao down once more. And whenever Pacquiao worked his way close to within striking distance, Ugas did his version of a slow drag with a tight embrace.

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Mora, working his second Pacquiao fight after Adrien Broner, should’ve taken a point away from Ugas “after 10 low blows and his rough stuff.” Pacquiao smiled through Ugas’ tactics and even held out his gloves in a gesture of sportsmanship after every foul. Once, before the bell rang to start a round, Ugas fired, Pacquiao smiled and extended his arm to touch gloves.

Ugas’ history has been marked by violations. Against John Williams in 2013, he was docked a point for a low blow. In 2017, Ugas was deducted a point for a low blow in a fight against Levan Ghvamichava. Against Omar Figueroa in 2019, a point was taken from Ugas for holding. Ugas wasn’t exactly clean in imposing his physicality on Pacquiao. He outmuscled Pacquiao in close quarters, using his elbows and shoulders to wear down the smaller challenger. Stats showed Ugas enjoyed a two-inch advantage in reach but ringside commentators mentioned at least a six-inch edge in terms of arm length.

Asked to comment on Ugas’ style, Pacquiao said he wasn’t surprised. But the problem was he couldn’t move like before because of tightness in both legs. He said he was prepared to battle Ugas on even terms but was hampered by the lack of mobility in his legs. Without movement, it was difficult for Pacquiao to create angles and find the opening to land. He couldn’t engage a bigger, taller and longer fighter straight up without movement. That made it impossible to execute his fight plan.

“With good legs and if the fight were held two years ago, it would’ve been a different outcome,” said Gibbons. “I agree the Senator was a class act to not bring up Ugas’ dirty tactics. Ugas’ style ended up being very bad for the Senator’s style and it didn’t mesh as it made for a difficult fight. The length and size just weren’t good.”


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 31 August 2025
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • Gaballo, Laurente prevail in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • Paalam leads ABAP team in Liverpool
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • OKC Thunder Favored to Repeat as NBA Champs
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • Pacman sets ‘Thrilla’ commemoration
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • Historic win for Paolo Gallito who edges Lee Van Cortez in the finals of the Efren "Bata" Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • "The Return" Weights from Detroit
    , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • Efren Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Tourney: Corteza Faces Villafuerte in Finals
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • Martha Salazar: Stepping Out of Her Own Shadow
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Laurente and Marapu Make Weight for IBF Regional Title; Gaballo Fights Tomorrow in Sanman Boxing Show in Gensan
    , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • IM Christian Arca sweeps 10-game simultaneous chess in IIEE SMRC in Davao City
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY PRESENTS “I’M SWEET” FEATURING GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA
    , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Traya, Bactol, De Barbo, Porres in Action in Highland Show in Thailand, live on DAZN
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Bisutti, Panya Make Weight for UBO World Title in Highland Show on DAZN
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Turki Alalshikh the most influential boxing leader in United Kingdom
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Bambam will flight ‘clean & disciplined’ against Requito
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Carlos Flowers Ready to Blossom on the World’s Stage at 2025 World Boxing Championships
    , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Traya eyes KO win against Thai tomorrow
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Navarrete's Future in Question as He Resists Rematch with Charly Suarez
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Davao's Corteza beats Biado, Aranas enters round-of-32 in P2 Million Bata Reyes 10 Ball Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Growth of Boxing
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Toshihiko Era Retains WBF Asia Strap in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Boxlab Promotions Signs Rising Cuban Prospects Ronny Alvarez and Pedro Veitia
    , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Vayson vies for WBA/WBO titles
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.