pinalti.com – Manny Pacquiao has revealed a pre-fight routine he believes led to his retirement from boxing. The Filipino fighter reflected on his 2021 loss to Yordenis Ugas. He successfully defended his WBA world title against Keith Thurman and Adrien Broner before that fight.
Pacquiao was inactive for over two years after the Thurman bout. He returned to defend his title against Yordenis Ugas. Ugas was a formidable opponent who many thought beat Shawn Porter in 2019.
Pacquiao lost the contest to Ugas on the judges’ scorecards. The scores were 115-113 and 116-112 twice. In an interview with Inside the Ring, Pacquiao claimed his preparation was not ideal.
“[For] the Ugas fight, we did a routine that we did not usually do before [a] fight,” Pacquiao said. “That’s what happened to me – cramping in both legs.” He explained the unusual pre-fight activity.
“Before the fight, we did the massage machine,” Pacquiao stated. “In the fight, I was cramping, could not move.” He called it the first time that happened in his career.
Yordenis Ugas faced Errol Spence Jr. in a unification clash the following year. Ugas suffered a 10th-round stoppage defeat in that fight. He gave a terrific account of himself against Spence.
Manny Pacquiao sailed into retirement after the Ugas loss. He was involved in a couple of exhibition matches later. Pacquiao returned to the sport and boxed to a draw against Mario Barrios.
That draw was against then-WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios last July. Pacquiao will face Floyd Mayweather in a rematch this September. This plan is contingent on everything going to plan.[]
Source: Boxing News Online
