UGAS WINS UNANIMOUS DECISION
Ugas defeated Pacquiao by scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 116-112 to retain his WBA welterweight title. Pacquiao fought his heart out from beginning to end but Ugas landed the bigger shots and he finished stronger down the stretch.
A full-length story will be posted on Boxing Junkie soon.
Round 12
Pacquiao was a warrior until the end, trying to find a way to win the fight. Ugas was the one who landed the big punches that round, though. Pacquiao blocked some of those wide rights but some got through. That was Ugas’ round. Who won the fight? The guess here is that Ugas will be rewarded for consistently landing the bigger punches. Crazy things happen in boxing, though. We’ll see in a moment.
Round 11
Pacquiao is fighting as if he needs the final rounds to win the fight. He’s remarkably busy given his age and he’s having some success. He landed some of his best shots in the fight in that round. Ugas is fighting hard too, though. He landed a few more of those wide rights.
Round 10
Pacquiao continues to fight his heart out but he seems to still be trying to figure out how to take control of the fight. Meanwhile, Ugas continues to land jabs and good power shots. The Cuban isn’t landed many big punches but perhaps enough to win rounds.
Round 9
Pacquiao seems to be slowing down to some degree but that was one of Ugas’ least productive rounds, although he landed some good shots late in the round. That round could’ve gone either way. We’ll see what Pacquiao has left down the stretch.
Round 8
Ugas keeps landing that wide right hand. That punch and his jab might be the most-effective weapons in the fights. That wasn’t a horrible round for Pacquiao, though. He was busy and got some good work done. Pacquiao was breathing hard in his corner afterward.
Round 7
That round was a microcosm of the fight. Pacquiao outworked Ugas most of the round but, once again, Ugas landed accurate power punches. Pacquiao is having a difficult time doing that.
Round 6
Somewhat slower round, although Pacquiao keeps bringing it. Ugas might’ve won the round by jabbing and landing three or four power shots. Close, competitive fight half-way through but Ugas seems more comfortable in there.
Round 5
Pacquiao is the busier fighter, which might impress the judges. Ugas is landing the cleaner shots, which also might impress the judges. The fight might come down to which you prefer — activity or eye-catching blows.
Round 4
Pacquiao pushed the action again for most of the round but it seems as if the Filipino’s head is the one that’s being snapped back. Ugas is countering his opponent’s rushes with hard, eye-catching shots. Ugas has been warned multiple times for low blows.
Round 3
Pacquiao tried to assert himself and had some success. He landed a few good power shots. That said, a lot of Pacquiao’s punches were blocked by Ugas, who is an excellent defensive fighter. Pacquiao might’ve edged that round by his activity.
Round 2.
Good round for Ugas. Still jabbing and following with hard, accurate power shots. Pacquiao can’t seem to figure out how to cope with what the Cuban is bringing. He had a few good moments but Ugas made a strong statement that round.
Round 1
Ugas might’ve won the round with quick, accurate jabs but Pacquiao, jumping inside and throwing fast combinations, landed the harder power shots. It was largely a feel-out round. The fighters are still sizing one another up.
***
Here we go.
***
Manny Pacquiao and welterweight titleholder Yordenis Ugas are about to be introduced for their fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Ugas is in the ring. Here comes Manny, looking as calm as could be.
Nice to hear the great Larry Merchant set the scene before Pacquiao enters the ring.
Pacquiao, smiling, is making his ring walk to “The Eye of the Tiger.” The crowd is loving it.
Can Pacquiao do it one more time at 42 years old? Or will his age finally catch up with him? Remember: Ugas is no slouch. He’s a legitimate threat to any 147-pounder.
***
Yordenis Ugas will defend his welterweight title against 42-year-old Manny Pacquiao on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The fight will be available on pay-per-view for $74.99.
Boxing Junkie will post live round-by-round analysis and then the final result. Simply come back to this post after each round and at the end of the fight.
And, finally, full coverage — a fight story, photo gallery and more analysis — will follow on separate posts.
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