LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao won’t find himself groping for form or struggling to unleash the right combinations amid the last-minute withdrawal of Errol Spence and the entry of Yordenis Ugas as replacement.
Boxer-turned-congressman Bobby Pacquiao, younger brother of the eight-division champion, told Daily Tribune that experience will play a pivotal role in the 21 August showdown in Las Vegas.
“Senator Pacquiao has gained so much experience over the years that he is going to adjust easily to Ugas,” Bobby said.
“He’s been with the best fighters in the world and he would know how to deal with any situation.”
Spence, a southpaw, was forced to pull out from next week’s two-belt encounter at the T-Mobile Arena after failing to pass an eye exam.
Bobby said that it could have been a different scenario if “the original opponent was a right-hander and then a left-hander was called in to replace the right-hander.”
That, according to Bobby, could cause problems.
“But since a right-hander is the substitute, the adjustment can easily be achieved,” said Bobby, who retired in 2008 after losing in San Jose, California.
By the time he had called it quits, Bobby, also a lefty like Manny, had amassed a 31-15 record with 16 knockouts.
Still, Bobby refrains from making a prediction as to which round Ugas will fall.
“You’ll never know in boxing. I don’t like to predict but what I can say is that Manny still looks fast in training and he continues to remain motivated,” he added.
