MANILA – Manny Pacquiao’s unanimous decision loss against World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas of Cuba showed that Father Time could not be conquered.
The 42-year-old Pacquiao was clearly delayed by time against Ugas, according to well-known boxing commentator Ed Tolentino, after he cramped up in the second round that affected his entire performance in the fight.
“Makikita mo talaga sa laban na you cannot defeat Father Time,” Tolentino told CNN Philippines. “His cramps in rounds two and three have affected him kasi nawala ang leg movement niya, he is very flat-footed, and sa haba ng reach ni Ugas [it] was very easy sa kanya na magpatama ng suntok kay Pacquiao,” he added.
The analyst further said that there is no reason for Pacquiao to consider a rematch with Ugas since he already secured his boxing reputation by becoming the only boxer to win world titles in eight different divisions.
“I will not remember Pacquiao losing to Ugas, but I will remember all the big names in boxing that he defeated before. He cannot win it all but he has won a lot. It is time to archive his boxing gloves,” he added.
Gametime: A sports podcast anchor Rodolfo Go Villaruz agreed with Tolentino, saying that the former WBA welterweight champion’s loss to the Cuban slugger was influenced by his senior age.
“Manny’s age has caught up with him. Kita naman doon sa leg at sa movements niya. But I am proud of what he has achieved at sa karangalan na dinala niya sa bansa,” Villaruz told Panay News.
On the other hand, Ilonggo sportswriter Alex Vidal believes that the Filipino fighter should consider hanging up his boxing gloves after this defeat since he has already lost his marketability in large fights.
“He must retire. He loses his marketability,” Vidal said. “Ugas effectively used science and his killer right hits to frustrate Manny Pacquiao in this match as Manny couldn’t connect his combinations and match Ugas’ volume of accurate punches.”
For Ilonggo sportsmen Edwin Caro Laru-an and Ray Cabarles, Pacquiao was caught by surprise with the boxing style of Ugas, who was a late replacement to injured Errol Spence Jr.
“Wala siya maka-adjust sa straight jab and right cross ni Ugas,” Laru-an said. “Ang weakness ni Pacquiao is naga-edad na siya and two weeks nga adjustment niya. Gin-dala gid ni Ugas ang iya amateur fighter orientation which is very effective.”
“Manny was caught by surprise by the fighting style of Ugas. He found it hard to make a good opening in spite of adjustments,” Cabarles said. “Ugas’ style dictated to Pacquiao instead of the other way around.”
With the 115-113, 116-112, 116-112 unanimous decision loss, the Filipino boxing legend saw his boxing record dropped to 67-8-2 with 39 stoppage victories, while Ugas improved to 27-4-0 with 12 knockout wins.
With the 115-113, 116-112, 116-112 unanimous decision loss, the Filipino boxing legend saw his boxing record dropped to 67-8-2 with 39 stoppage victories, while Ugas improved to 27-4-0 with 12 knockout wins./PN
