MANILA – If there is someone who knows that late-replacement opponents like Yordenis Ugas should not be taken lightly, it is the eight-division world boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.
The 42-year-old Pacquiao was a late substitute in 2001 when he pulled off a massive upset against the late Lehlo Ledwaba for the International Boxing Federation world super bantamweight championship, the bout that started his rise as a boxer.
“I know what Yordenis Ugas was feeling because, 20 years ago, I was Yordenis Ugas,” the Filipino boxer said on Wednesday. “I still remember that match against Ledwaba. I was a day away from going home to the Philippines when the fight was offered to me.”
Furthermore, Pacquiao is motivated to beat the 35-year-old Ugas after the latter got the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) welterweight championship that he previously held.
Ugas was tapped to replace undefeated Errol Spence Jr. due to an eye injury. The match is scheduled on Aug. 21 (Aug. 22 in the Philippines) at the T. Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I am not taking him for granted. I am taking him as seriously as I took Errol Spence. I will not make the same mistake Ledwaba made with me,” Pacman stressed.
“I still have the same hunger to win. I live for it. I have had a great training camp, and I am well-prepared. I want to prove to everyone, especially Yordenis Ugas, that I am still here,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s coach, Freddie Roach, also knew the danger if the Filipino boxing legend will be relaxed for his upcoming match since he is the one who trained Manny against Ledwaba.
“The important lessons Manny and I learned from that fight were never underestimate your opponent, take nothing for granted, and never cut corners in training. And Manny never has,” Roach said./PN
