It sure has been a tough piece of work for Manny Pacquiao to accept his defeat at the hands of Yordenis Ugas, but the WBA (Super) welterweight champion says he is respectful to the Filipino veteran’s opinions after the fight.
The former eight division world champion, who returned to the squared circle after a hiatus of two years, suffered a 115-113, 116-112, 116-112 unanimous decision loss against Ugas at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on last Saturday night.
While Pacquiao couldn’t live up to the expectations of the millions of his fans, the 42-year-old veteran lacked the speed and prowess that he once displayed in the ring and following the fight, brought forward a number of reasons that hindered his performance.
“[My] two legs are cramping that’s why I cannot move,” Pacquiao had revealed after the fight, “this time around my two legs are tired and hurting from the second round,” Pacquiao said after the fight. [H/T Hypebeast]
Ugas, despite being called an “easy opponent” by Pacquiao before the fight, outboxed the Filipino and shocked the combat sports community by emerging victorious in undoubtedly the toughest challenge of his career.
However, instead of heating things up against Pacquiao, “54 Milagros” displayed a more humble avatar when referring to the post-fight opinions of “PacMan”, in a recent media conference over the internet.
“I admire Manny Pacquiao,” said Ugas “I remember the epic battles against Margarito, Marquez and so many other great fighters.”
“If he said those things about me in spite of my great performance and the win I was able to achieve… all that I can say about him is that I respect his opinion,” the 35-year-old Cuban added.
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It would be my honor and pleasure to face him again: Ugas hopeful on a Pacquiao rematch in future
Even though Pacquiao admitted that the Ugas fight might possibly be his last appearance in the squared circle, there is no doubt in acknowledging that the Senator of the Philippines is one of the most decorated boxers of all time.
While the World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman himself claiming that Pacquiao will be back in the ring once again, Ugas is also looking forward to a second fight with the veteran in the future.
“Manny Pacquiao is a legend. He is a warrior,” the 2008 Olympics bronze medallist went on, “it would be my honor and pleasure to face him again.” [H/T BoxingScene]
