After over two years of inactivity, 42-year-old Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) will face Yordenis Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) for the WBA welterweight championship on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Pacquiao, the only eight-division champion in boxing’s history, will look to reclaim a world title against Ugas, who was awarded the WBA (super) title in January. Pacquiao held the title after his split-decision victory over Keith Thurman in July of 2019 but was stripped of it in January due to inactivity.
Pacquiao was initially scheduled to fight WBC and IBF champion Errol Spence Jr., though Spence withdrew from the fight on Aug. 10 due to a retinal tear in his left eye. Ugas, who was slated to fight Fabian Maidana in the co-main event for the Pacquiao/Spence card, agreed to fight Pacquiao on Aug. 10.
Though this fight is perceived to be less intriguing for the general public — Spence is rated as the No. 4 pound-for-pound fighter by ESPN and Pacquiao is one of the greatest boxers in history — Ugas will not be a pushover opponent. He has won 11 of his last 12 fights, with his only defeat coming in controversial fashion against former WBC champion Shawn Porter in March of 2019.
Ugas defeated Abel Ramos by split decision in September of 2020 to win the WBA (regular) title before he was upgraded to the super champion in January.
Here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s championship bout.
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What time is Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas?
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 20
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Main event: 12 a.m. ET (estimate)
The main card of the Pacquiao vs. Ugas fight will begin at 9 p.m. The main event is not expected to begin until midnight ET. Fight cards are typically not adjusted for quicker bouts earlier in the night, so expect the fighters to make their ring walk around then.
How to watch Pacquiao vs. Ugas
- Live stream: Fox Sports App and FoxSports.com
You will be able to stream Pacquiao vs. Ugas live on the Fox Sports App and FoxSports.com.
The Fox Sports App is available on the App Store, Google Play store, Xbox One/Series X, Roku, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV.
How much does Pacquiao vs. Ugas cost?
- Fox PPV: $74.99
The Pacquiao vs. Ugas fight costs $74.99 for Fox pay-per-view.
Where is Pacquiao vs. Ugas taking place?
For the first time of his career, Pacquiao will be fighting at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. Pacquiao has had several of his biggest fights at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, including his most recent victory over Thurman, and this will be his 22nd career fight in the Las Vegas, Nevada area.
Ugas will be fighting at the T-Mobile Arena for the second time of his career and in the Las Vegas area for the sixth time.
Controversy arose between the two fighters in January, when Ugas was awarded the WBA (super) welterweight title after Pacquiao had not fought since his victory over Thurman in July of 2019. Pacquiao applied to be reinstated as the WBA champion in July but was denied by the organization.
Recently, Pacquiao commented on the WBA’s decision and said his title was “given” to Ugas rather than awarded.
“That is not how you become a champion,” Pacquiao said to reporters. “You earn it by winning it inside the ring. We will fight for the title. That is the proper way a champion is crowned.”
Responding to Pacquiao’s stance, Ugas said in an interview with Fighthype that he “absolutely” won his belt during his championship fight against Ramos but that Saturday will be a “completely different fight.”
“I got to give him respect until the bell rings, and then all that goes out the window,” Ugas said.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas card
- Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas for WBA (Super) welterweight championship
- Robert Guerrero vs. Victor Ortiz; Welterweights
- Mark Magsayo vs. Julio Ceja; WBC featherweight title eliminator
- Carlos Castro vs. Oscar Escandon; Featherweights