Stop the joke; Pacquiao not qualified for Olympic Games

“My life needs editing.”

—Mort Sahl

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE’RE sure Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino didn’t mean to insult the intelligence of Filipinos when he recently disclosed retired professional boxer Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao was planning to return to boxing and “represent” the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France.

We can forgive Tolentino if he was joking, but the news didn’t say what he revealed in public was a joke.

As the highest official of the POC, he should be the first to know that Pacquiao is NOT QUALIFIED to participate in the World Olympic Games, specifically the Paris Games in July and August next year.

Tolentino should have immediately stated in the news that “…but Pacquiao is not qualified anymore, and I told him to drop the crazy idea.” 

Tolentino’s failure to right away inform Pacquiao (granting the former boxer was really serious when he allegedly told Tolentino of his “desire” to fight in the Paris Games) and the public that Pacquiao is not qualified is an indication the POC chief wanted to ride on the publicity generated by the “earthshaking” sports news.

 

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Olympic Games athletes—including boxers—cannot be 41 years old or older during the year 2024; and must be a minimum of 18 years old by date of birth by the first day of competition, or on July 26, 2024, start of the Paris Games, which will end on August 11, 2024.

Pacquiao, who was born on December 17, 1978, will be 45 years old during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 

Even if Pacquiao is 18 or 25 years old when he told Tolentino he wanted to be in the RP Team, the slot in the 71kg (welterweight) category can’t be handed to him on a silver platter. 

This is not professional boxing where astute promoters and other demigods in Las Vegas can make anyone instant challenger to battle for the world championship like what they did to Pacquiao and many other marquee names in prizefighting.

Frankly, Pacquiao became eight-time world boxing champion not because he was superman or bionic man.  

It’s because he was instant challenger to reigning world champions in eight different divisions. Thank you, Bob Arum.

If professional boxing has godfathers, amateur boxing—the Olympic Games—has strict rules and qualifications.

Pacquiao can’t shortcut his way in the Olympic Games.

 

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Even if the rules will allow a 45-year-old beakbuster to participate in the Olympic Games, younger and faster amateur boxers nowadays—even in the Philippines—will eat him alive.

In order to qualify for the Paris Games, the boxers must be able to roll past other competitors in the three qualification tournaments: continental, first, and second world qualifying stages.

They must pass through the proverbial eye of the needle. No palakasan system. No Bob Arum or Don King. 

The continental tournament for Asian Olympic boxing aspirants is the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on September 23 to October 8, 2023.

With lack of preparations (granting he is 18 or 25 years old today), I don’t think Pacquiao is a shoo-in to take part in the continental tournament. 

The first world qualification tournament is slated in Busto, Arzizio, Italy on February 29-March 12, 2024. The second and last world qualification tournament in scheduled in Bangkok, Thailand on May 23-June 3, 2024.

Again, even if Pacquiao is only 18 or 25 years old, he can’t be ready for the aforementioned world qualification tournaments since he has been inactive in the ring except in the exhibition bout against Korean patsy DK Yoo in December 2022.

Pacquiao is also set to tangle with Thai boxing legend Buakaw Banchamek in another exhibition match on July 21, 2024.

Before wounding up third in the May 2022 Philippine presidential election, Pacquiao lost his farewell fight against Yordenis Ugas in August 2021.

Thus, all these funny talks about boxing’s most celebrated grandpa donning the Philippine flag in boxing in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games are nothing but jokes. It’s time to pull the plug on this hilarious story. 

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

  

Bankruptcy threatens to permanently KO Pacquiao

 

“Bankruptcy is a serious decision that people have to make.”

—Herb Kohl

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IF he were young and still actively linked with Top Rank big boss Bob Arum, $8 million could be “peanuts” for Manny Pacquiao.

He could pocket the amount even in cash advance in mega-million fisticuffs in Las Vegas.

He could earn the amount triple even if he fought in nondescript alphabet world governing boxing bodies.

Because he was Manny Pacquiao, the ring superstar and eight-time world champion in eight different weight divisions and desired both by shrewd and unscrupulous promoters.    

In boxing, he was literally a putative “Money Pacquiao.”  

But 44-year-old Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) is now semi-retired (he has actually “retired” two years ago, but, as boxing’s senior citizen, is now inching his way back to the square jungle even only in aperitif bouts). 

And he reportedly lost a substantial fortune in a failed bid for the Philippine presidency where he landed third with 3,629,547 votes (6.86%) behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and second placer, former Vice President Leni Robredo.

Pacquiao had also reportedly poured millions of pesos to bankroll the candidacy of some relatives who, like him, have invaded the world of politics, in the previous election.

The boxer-turned-politician admitted he never received and accepted campaign funds from political donors.

 

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Also, Pacquiao has stopped earning sizably (meaning in the million dollars bracket) since his last official world title transaction which he lost to Yordenis Ugas via 12-round unanimous decision in August 2021.

As a Philippine senator from July 25, 2016 until June 30, 2022, Pacquiao claimed he did not steal money from the taxpayers. 

In other words, there was comparatively a drought in as far as his capacity to earn even at least one third of what he had amassed per fight in Las Vegas during his salad days was concerned.

It appeared there has been also a dry spell of income from commercial endorsements since he is no longer in-demand as pugilist.

Then came the gigantic financial disaster just when money has stopped growing in the trees: A jury in California has issued a verdict against Pacquiao regarding a breach of contract.

Ruling 9-3 in favor of Paradigm Sports Management in the civil case filed in the Superior Court of Orange County, California in the case relating to a representation agreement, Pacquiao was reportedly ordered to pay at least a total of $8 million.

 

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Pacquiao did not operate in good faith and failed to disclose any other agreements he had, specifically any arrangement with TGB Promotions, argued the Paradigm.

Trial lawyer representing Paradigm in the case, Judd Burstein, told ESPN: "The biggest problem for him is he came into court and the jury unquestionably found that he had lied. I argued to the jury that he's so allergic to the truth he needs an EpiPen anytime he gets close to it."

Paradigm said in a release May 3 it is owed around $8 million after the jury's verdict.

ESPN’s Ben Baby said Pacquiao's legal team could still seek to have the verdict overturned and negate any potential financial judgment.

In a statement, Pacquiao’s lawyer, Jason Aniel, said: "The court has scheduled a hearing in June, and there are still legal issues that need to be addressed by the court before the case is fully resolved.”

Pacquiao’s duel with Ugas was part of the case’s central issues,, according to Baby.

 

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Baby recalled that Pacquiao was initially scheduled to face welterweight champion Errol Spence before Spence was forced to withdraw because of an injury. The fight proceeded after Paradigm failed to secure an injunction to stop the bout, which was presented by TGB Promotions.

TGB Promotions primarily works with Premier Boxing Champions. Pacquiao had two previous fights under the PBC umbrella, 2019 fights against Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman, before he faced Ugas.

TGB Promotions was listed as an interested party in the case between Paradigm and Pacquiao because of the Pacquiao-Ugas bout.

"The reason that Paradigm's attempt to get the injunction failed was, in large part, due to the fact that we had had an ongoing contractual relationship with Pacquiao which predated any alleged contract that Paradigm entered into with Pacquiao," said Phil Weiss, who serves as legal counsel for TGB Promotions.

Baby said Burstein described Pacquiao's dealings to ESPN as "underhanded." During the jury trial, Burstein said evidence was presented that showed Pacquiao engaged in conversations with then-DAZN executive John Skipper, who was previously at ESPN. 

Burstein said Pacquiao denied knowing who Skipper was despite a FaceTime call between Skipper and Pacquiao that was played for the jury.

Burstein also said that, despite obligations to TGB Promotions, Pacquiao accepted $3.3 million from Paradigm and declined a potential bout to face Mikey Garcia in May 2021, one month before the lawsuit was filed.

"We essentially argued that Manny Pacquiao was a liar," Burstein told ESPN. "This was a credibility contest."

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

 

 

 

 

Pacquiao’s real and present trouble

“Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.”

— Alfred A. Montapert

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WHEN I first heard about the alleged annulment case supposedly filed recently by Jinky Pacquiao against her husband Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, I immediately dismissed it as untrue.

Either some spin artists concocted it as a diversionary tactic meant to camouflage the real trouble the former eight-time world boxing champion is facing today, or it was meant to keep his name afloat or for whatever purpose it may serve, which only the husband and wife are maybe aware of.

I have strong hunch Pacquiao knows what’s going on—I mean, the spreading of the canard to divert the people’s attention.

No newsman in his right mind will write or broadcast something scandalous as Jinky Pacquiao’s alleged infidelity that resulted in her pregnancy without risking a libel or damage suit if the story is unsubstantiated.

The story wasn’t only false, it’s ridiculous and totally unbelievable.

Before this cheap and fanciful Jinky-got-pregnant-to-another-man-and-their-marriage-is-now-on-the-rocks bogus publicity stunt came out, the 44-year-old semi-retired pugilist was facing a really alarming and big problem.

This was the lawsuit filed against the ring legend by Paradigm Sports Management for breach of contract in 2021, which is now reportedly “progressing from bad to worse.” 

Pacquiao, who at the time was a recent signee with Paradigm, allegedly decided to go back and work with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions, as the suit claims.

 

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SBNation’s Mila Ordonez, who followed the issue, claimed that part of the supposed deal with Paradigm was a $25 million purse to face Mikey Garcia that same year, which they claim fell apart after Pacquiao wanted a guaranteed $5 million in advance even without fighting. 

Also included was a planned crossover boxing match with Conor McGregor, one of Paradigm’s top talents.

The case is now moving forward. Per a recent report by MMA Fighting the trial for the lawsuit has been set for March 3, 2023. Paradigm CEO Audie Attar also released this statement:

“Manny’s days of thumbing his nose at our contractual rights are almost at an end. We have an overwhelming case against him and look forward to justice being served.

“The court has already entered an order stating that – due to his consistent violation of court orders – Pacquiao is now deemed to have admitted that he breached his contract with Paradigm and that Paradigm has suffered more than $20 million in damages.”

Attar also reportedly sent a message to other organizations planning to work with Pacquiao while the suit is ongoing.

“If any promoters, managers, fighters, or broadcasting networks are considering entering into an agreement with Manny prior to the trial, they are now on notice that Paradigm will immediately commence an action against them for tortious interference with contract and seek both an injunction and damages.

 

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“Once Paradigm wins at trial in March, we will cut off 100 percent of Manny’s opportunities to earn money in the United States from any source because any revenue he generates will be attached to his judgment.

“Additionally, Paradigm will aggressively pursue enforcement of its judgment in any foreign country where Manny seeks to fight.”

Judd Burstein, who will be representing Paradigm in this ongoing case, used to work with Pacquiao for a previous contract dispute lawsuit. Pacquiao’s lawyers are now reportedly filing a motion to disqualify Burstein.

Pacquiao had already denied any wrongdoing.

“Paradigm Sports’ lawsuit against me has no merit,” Pacquiao’s camp said in a 2021 statement. 

“I have an absolute right under the agreement with Paradigm to engage in the upcoming bout with Errol Spence. If this frivolous lawsuit continues, I will be proven correct in court.”

The 44-year-old Pacquiao (62-8-2 with 39 KOs), who retired in 2021 to focus on his Philippine presidential campaign, is now set for his 2023 boxing return under Rizin. He did an exhibition match in December against YouTuber DK Yoo and won by decision.

Now, do you wonder why all of a sudden, the apparently diversionary “news” about the Pacquiao couple’s “sepration” suddenly hogged headlines? 

Jinky has eloped with a rich man and is now pregnant? And there’s an annulment case? As the old saying goes, tell it to the marines.

 (The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

Destiny or ignominy?

 

“One of the reasons people hate politics is that truth is rarely a politician's objective. Election and power are.”

—Cal Thomas

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IF Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is destined to be the next president of the Philippines, who are we to question it?

In life there are infinite possibilities, and if fate and destiny have programmed Pacquiao’s life to where it appears to be heading, we must accept it with a grain of salt.

Destiny is a common synonym for what philosophers call teleology--the idea that events follow a set plan that has a purpose. 

Teleology is primarily defined as a belief in "final ends" or ultimate goals that constrain reality in such a way that those ends or goals will be reached.

Many people first laughed when the boxing icon ran for congressman in Saranggani province in Mindanao and won in 2010. 

They laughed once more when the ring superstar hinted he wanted to be a senator. He won in 2016.

Sometime in December 2008 in a press conference I attended at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum introduced Pacquiao as “the next president of the Philippines.”

As far as I can remember, Arum’s remarks became the unofficial launching pad for the succeeding announcements of Pacquiao’s possible presidential quest in 2022 when he would be 43.

 

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The wily septuagenarian even declared in jest he would be in the Philippines to campaign for his ward, who has collected eight world titles in eight different weight classes.

That was 13 years ago. 

Nobody took Arum seriously although reactions from the gallery were mix if not vitiated with demurral and pessimism.

In the Philippine presidential election set next year or 14^th year since Arum’s soliloquy, Pacquiao, who has announced his candidacy as standard bearer of the PDP-Laban in the May 2022 election, will be a step closer if he wins.

Arum’s prophecy may or may not happen, but the telltale signs are there: Pacquiao will run although he hasn’t yet filed his official certificate of candidacy.

Be it as it may, it’s also possible Pacquiao’s candidacy may turn out to be his date with ignominy especially if he is ill-prepared, ill-advised or misguided during and after the campaign period.

Sometimes if a candidate isn’t prepared for the big league, it’s when he wins that’s the hardest part of the matter, not whether he will run.

To borrow the late comedy king Dolphy’s famous quote when he was egged to run in the election: “Walang problema ang tumakbo. Paano kung manalo?”

 

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Although the constitution requires Pacquiao only to be at least 42 years old during the official filling of certificate of candidacy; he can read or write and born in the Philippines, a presidential derby isn’t like a boxing match where it’s not necessary to have the brains and brawn.

In boxing, the fists do the talking and decide the outcome. In politics or  public service for that matter, common sense, management skills and experience matter.

There will be a series of debates where the candidates are asked random and complicated questions meant to test their character and intellectual prowess.

It is during these debates where voters can scrutinize the candidates and place them on the hot seat.

If you spent your whole life cooking the best dishes and you suddenly competed in a hairdressing contest, it’s a huge embarrassment no one would want to experience.

There are many leaders in the Philippines who are more qualified to run for president, but the cat is out of the bag: PDP-Laban has officially fielded a popular and rich athlete to be its standard bearer instead of someone who’s articulate and scholarly when it comes to academic and professional backgrounds.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)

 

How I ‘saw’ Ugas’ win against Pacquiao

“When an underdog wins, they win for everybody, because somebody gotta come through that door and break it open and make it possible.”

—Saint John

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE first thing that impressed me about Yordenis Ugas was he isn’t a thrash talker. Not an obtrusive person. He doesn’t insult his rival. Very professional.

Silent water runs deep, as the saying goes.

Second was his height (5 feet and 9 inches).

Height has always been a major advantage in the welterweight category.

Third was his amateur background (highlighted by a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics). 

Once you have an exciting and extensive experience in the amateur ranks, you’re almost always penciled to become a world class professional fighter.

Then I reviewed the Cuban’s fights on video; I studied his style and movement in the ring. I knew Ugas was the Real McCoy, someone who could match Pacquiao’s ferocity above the ring when the goings get tough.

I diligently did my assignment as an analyst and sportswriter.

I knew I would be grilled intensely by my colleagues in the broadcast media who always sought my opinion and trusted my pre-fight analysis in boxing during the “live” interviews.

I always anticipated on-the-spot and thought-provoking questions like: “What is your prediction?” and “Who do you think will win and why?”

Even if Ugas was toting an “unremarkable” ring record (now 25-4-0, 12 KOs), it didn’t discourage me from picking him to win against Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao.

 

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When I made pre-fight “fearless forecasts” in the past and wouldn’t pick Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs), fellow Filipinos with deep admiration and love for Pacquiao ribbed me for being “un-Filipino” and “biased against a fellow Filipino.”

I expected the same treatment when I announced that Ugas would score a huge upset if there was no knockout and the fight was decided by the judges, thus I always said “sorry” to Pacquiao’s fans before saying that Ugas might win on points.

Pacquiao remains to be extremely popular among Pinoy fight fans that they always believed he could still destroy his rivals by stoppage if the duel would not reach 12 rounds.

They forgot that the wear and tear factor has already caught up with Pacquiao, who has been fighting as a prizefighter since 1995. 

At 42, he may not be as destructive and quick compared during his heydays years back when he would send to retirement some of the most feared former world champions who had crossed his path like Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar Dela Hoya, and Joshua Clottey, to name only a few.

Many of Pacquiao’s die-hards would always base their judgment on the hitherto best boxer pound for pound’s invincibility on emotion, not on science, statistics, period of inactivity and reality.

 

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Gamblers who placed a heavy bet on the “fighting lawmaker” who will now be obligated (I decline to use the word “forced”) to abandon boxing and focus on his political career now that he failed to bag Ugas’ WBA welterweight jewels, were the real big losers.

Pacquiao, 42, was the heavy underdog when his fight this year was announced against unified WBC and IBF 147-kg ruler Errol Spence Jr., 31.

When Spence Jr. pulled out and gave way to Ugas, 35, due to a torn retina two weeks before the August 21 bout at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Pacquiao became the heavy favorite.

Gamblers made a last-ditch effort to shift their bets and suffered the consequences for the “poor judgement.”

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)

 

 

 

Time to ‘force’ Pacquiao to retire

“You can never have the comeback if you don't have the retirement.”

—Chael Sonnen

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WHEN he lost his final fight against unknown Hiroyuki Murakami by unanimous decision in Japan on May 20, 1971, the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) in Manila reportedly “forced” Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Jr. to retire by canceling his professional boxing license.

The brave former WBC junior lightweight champion from Bogo, Cebu was only 37, and he wanted to continue his boxing career despite absorbing his 27^th loss since turning professional with a KO win against Little Dundee in Davao City on August 12, 1952.

Boxing authorities thought it was time for Elorde (89-27-2, 33 KOs) to hang up his gloves for his own good.

At 35, a prizefighter is considered as “over the hill” or “retirable.” 

He must now protect and prioritize his health, and retirement is one way of preventing a potential fatal brain injury common among athletes involved in hard and violent head collisions.

Elorde, one of the greatest boxers in his division, died of lung cancer before his 50^thbirthday in Manila on January 2, 1985.

For his own good, Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) should retire win or lose after his bout against Yordenis Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) in Las Vegas on August 21.

If he won’t, the Nevada State Athletics Commission should enter the picture and seize or cancel his license. Again, it’s for his own good.

There is no sense anymore for multimillionaire Pacquiao to continue fighting and risk a permanent brain damage or other injuries related to the brutal sport.

He must also preserve his legacy and avoid humiliation if he loses badly in a farewell fight.

 

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The 42-year-old 8-division titlist is reportedly aiming to become president of the Philippines in next year’s election, and Pacquiao can’t afford to run the country—in case he wins—with fractured faculties. 

Filipinos can’t afford to live with a bed-ridden or “mortally damaged” president. 

Even if he will not run for president, Pacquiao has to stop fighting in the ring for money and fame.

He has plenty of money and abundance of fame; in fact, he can use them to garner more votes or to help the downtrodden without necessarily languishing in the dirty world of politics.

Depending on the severity of the injury, those who get a traumatic brain injury may face health problems that last a few days or the rest of their lives. 

For example, a person with a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion may experience short-term symptoms and feel better within a couple of weeks or months. 

And a person with a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury may have long-term or life-long effects from the injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP).

There were reportedly about 61,000 traumatic brain injury-related deaths in the United States in 2019.

That’s about 166 traumatic brain injury-related deaths every day, CDCP said.

 

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In fact, Pacquiao doesn’t need to once again win a world crown by attempting to wrest the WBA 147-lb bauble from Ugas to prove he is the best welterweight fighter in this generation.

Good if he will outclass the granite-chinned Cuban champion so he can log another record in boxing.

What if Pacquiao will lose and suffer permanent injury?

Money can’t bring back a normal life if he becomes vegetable. 

Money can’t buy or find the spare parts to replace a damaged brain and body. 

The big duel against Ugas is now inevitable unless one of them backs out in the eleventh hour. 

Do we need to see Pacquiao being carried out on a stretcher after being badly mauled by a younger fighter after authorities failed to confiscate his license and throw it in the river to force him to quit boxing?

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can Ugas defeat Pacquiao? Why not?

 

“Boxing is like jazz. The better it is, the less people appreciate it.”

—George Foreman

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

I WON’T be surprised if the 12-round WBA super welterweight (147-lb or 66 kilograms) championship fight between champion Yordenis Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) and challenger Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) on August 21 in Las Vegas will last the distance.

If the result will be decided by the three judges, there’s no guarantee that Pacquiao would be the winner—unless he scored a knockdown in the early rounds (where a mandatory eight-count is administered by the referee) like what happened in his title fight against 32-year-old Keith Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) in Las Vegas on July 20, 2019.

If not for the flash knockdown Pacquiao scored in the first round, his split decision win against Florida-based Thurman after 12 stanzas could have turned the other way. 

A split decision means only two of the three judges saw Pacquiao the winner; the lone dissent thought Thurman was the boss.

As of this writing, many Filipino fight fans have already written off the 35-year-old Cuban, who stands five feet and nine inches, three inches taller than the Filipino senator, who started in professional boxing as a skinny light flyweight (108 lbs or 48 kilograms) in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro in 1995.

 

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For being a “mere” substitute of 31-year-old Errol Spence Jr. (25-0, 21 KOs) and toting a not-so-scary ring ledger, Ugas failed to impress Pacquiao’s dyed-in-the-wool admirers. 

They don’t give Ugas the ghost of a chance to beat Pacquiao; they predict the Cuban will capitulate in the first four rounds.

They think he’s a pushover with no impressive KO power; a dishwasher who could produce “only” a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics despite Cuba’s much-vaunted golden line-up and notoriety in amateur boxing.

His being orthodox in stance didn’t help lift his marketability among boxing aficionados, who believe Ugas would be an easy target for being lanky and flat-footed.

Once Pacquiao connects and catches the sturdy-chinned Ugas in the midsection, the Cuban defending titleholder will go down like a sack of potatoes because he doesn’t backpedal and sidestep like Vernon Forrest, Pernell Whitaker, Zab Judah, Andre Berto, Shane Mosley, and Felix Trinidad, they theorize.

 

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But Ugas is not illiterate. 

Having studied Pacquiao’s past ring terrorism, Ugas is expected to avoid a dark alley acquaintance brawl in the early rounds; the Cuban will not place his head on the chopping block and allow a free throw from the left-handed Pacquiao without detonating his own bombs during an exchange.

Ugas might take some cue from Jeff Horn (20-3-1, 13 KOs), the last fighter to beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision in Brisbane on July 2, 2017.

Unlike Ugas, Horn is a roughhouser who used all the dirty tricks in the textbook to befuddle and handcuff Pacquiao before a cheering partisan crowd.

Pacquiao absorbed all of Horn’s bullying tactics and couldn’t catch the Aussie who moved like a pendulum. 

Aware of Pacquiao’s legs who now seemed like bony twigs at 42, Ugas might hold, push and embrace his Filipino challenger in a hope to tire him out and, thus, avoid an early trip to canvas for any of them.

There’s no way Ugas can settle the rivalry by knocking out Pacquiao as he apparently lacks the power to shake the Filipino’s ribcage even if Ugas will use a sledgehammer.

 

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Ugas throws his right jab like a butterfly and traps his opponent with a searing left; he uses a long range to unload his combos and creates a web to confuse his rival who will end up eating Ugas blows.

Against the aggressive Pacquiao, Ugas will stay in front and cover the Filipino’s face with his own head to force Pacquiao to untangle and pave the way for his own artillery attack.

A clash of heads and low blows by Ugas won’t be far-fetched. The fight could end up as a draw if one of them suffers a nasty cut due to accidental headbutt before four rounds.

All eyes definitely are still on the 42-year-old Filipino ring superstar, once dubbed as the best boxer in the world pound for pound.

Fans used to watching Pacquiao dismantle his opponents when he was in the lower divisions, will hanker for a quick KO or TKO victory which he last scored three years ago against Lucas Martin Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur.

Whenever Pacquiao fights, the pressure put on his shoulders by bloodthirsty fans to wreck and blast to smithereens his opponent before 12 rounds is tremendous. 

Against Ugas, Pacquiao will also be up against nature—the age factor; the wear and tear of absorbing brutal punishments in the square jungle for more than 20 years, not to mention the mental anguish of having to engage the powers that be in Philippine politics in a bone-jarring mind game in another dirty arena.

A stoppage win for Pacquiao may not come, this time; and if Ugas has a full tank and manages to extend the carousel, he can hack out a majority or split decision after 12 rounds, a major upset that would shock everybody.

In boxing we don’t underestimate an opponent and call him patsy even if he is a Johnny-come-lately.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yordenis Ugas a walking baby powder

“In boxing you create a strategy to beat each new opponent, it's just like chess.”

—Lennox Lewis

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

ALL of a sudden Yordenis Ugas (26-4, 12KOs) became a household name among Filipino fight fans.

Thanks to Errol Spence Jr. (27-0, 21KOs) who handed the baton to the lanky 35-year-old Cuban defector who will now have the chance to retire Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39KOs) if the Filipino buzzsaw loses badly in their WBA 147-kg 12-round duel in Las Vegas on August 21.

Orthodox and flat-footed, Ugas, who stands five feet and nine inches, will be an easy target for Pacquiao, a southpaw who is shorter by three inches.

An Ugas versus Pacquiao duel is more lively and exciting than the Spence versus Pacquiao fracas.

When a tall orthodox fighter clashes with a shorter lefty, expect a slambang and bloody fight in the matrix of Roberto Duran versus Thomas Hearns, Milton McCrory versus Donald Curry, Julian Jackson versus Terri Norris, Jose Napoles versus Ernie Lopez, Ricardo Mayorga versus Fernando Vargas, Shane Mosley versus Antonio Margarito, to name only a few.

 

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Unlike Floyd Mayweather Jr. (50-0, 27 KOs) and Joshua Clottey (41-5, 24 KOs) who refused to swap bombs with Pacquiao toe-to-toe, Ugas will be willing to slug it out from pillar post, no holds barred.

Ugas is a showman like Pacquiao; the Cuban loves to fight in the center of the ring and his punches mostly travel like a tora (tiger) that mostly land in the midsection and side of the body.

Instead of using his reach advantage, Ugas fights like Ricky Hatton (45-3, 32 KOs) and Ike Quartey (37-4, 32 KOs) and doesn’t backpedal, a perfect recipe for disaster if they fight a well-rounded brawler like Pacquiao, who throws dynamites from all angles.

The Cuban customer, who logged an incredible amateur record highlighted by a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has a granite chin. 

He has never been knocked out cold in his entire career both in amateur and professional. 

If Ugas fights Pacquiao the way Hatton, David Diaz, Hector Velasquez, Emmanuel Lucero, and Jorge Solis did, he won’t last beyond six rounds.

If Ugas brawls with Pacquiao the way Juan Manuel Marquez, Jeff Horn, Agapito Sanchez and Nedal Hussein did, he might survive the war of attrition and win on points after 12 rounds.

I don’t see Ugas trouncing the senator from Saranggi province by stoppage. 

Fidel Castro’s warrior throws a lot of punches but they are like powderpuff; he doesn’t have a power to knock out even Mommy Dionisia although he will be busier in the ring. 

I call Ugas a walking baby powder.

 

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Pacquiao, 42, always had a difficult time with fighters who elected to hold, push and embrace during a heated exchange. 

The Filipino eight-division titlist is a known street fighter who loves a fierce exchange. If you clip his wings and lock his arms in a phone booth brawl, he is stymied. 

If you stay away from him and fight like you’re house is on fire, Pacquiao becomes lethal and merciful and blasts his opponents to bits in whatever weight category.

Ugas was once deducted with a point in his WBA eliminator bout against Omar Fegueroa Jr. (28-2, 19 KOs) for excessive holding but managed to put away the once undefeated Texan nicknamed “Panterita” or black leopard.

Endurance-wise, Pacquiao has proven he can last the distance when he upset in a split decision Keith Thurman (29-1, 22KOs) two years ago.

Against Ugas, Pacquiao can’t rely alone in his stamina to eke out a decision victory. 

He must throw solid punches in the first four rounds and try to dig in the Cuban’s body. 

Although it’s seemingly difficult to hit Ugas in the face owing to his confusing movements and height, Pacquiao can pulverize the aggressive Ugas with body shots before cutting him with uppercuts once Ugas decides to eat his lethal blows in the early rounds.

If Ugas survives the assault in the first five rounds, the fight might be decided by the three scoring judges.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)