Manny Pacquiao drew the admiration of former opponent Yordenis Ugas after his majority draw result against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
Boxing’s only eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao drew the respect of many people after he fought to a majority draw result against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in his comeback fight over the weekend in Las Vegas.
Despite his old age of 46 years old, Pacquiao looked ready to go toe-to-toe with the Mexican-American boxer. He finished all 12 rounds and arguably could’ve won the fight, if many boxing analysts are to be believed.
Being able to fight in the way that he did also caught the attention of his fellow boxers — including his former foe Yordenis Ugas.
Ugas had been Pacquiao’s opponent before he retired from boxing professionally back in 2021.
Having faced Barrios himself as well, Ugas had nothing but good things to say about Pacquiao’s performance, especially since people had started to write him off after their fight in 2021, which Pacquiao lost.
“Damn, but I’d heard all along that the Pacquiao who fought me was finished, dead, nothing. How is it possible that four years later he comes against a kid 16 years younger and puts up another good fight?” Ugas wrote on social media.
“It was a very close fight. But Pac-Man is incredible.” he added.
Despite not being up to par to his patented speed and power that he possessed when he was in his prime, Pacquiao looked especially fit and agile for a person his age.
Being the aggressor against Barrios had not been expected, yet he did, and for some, he might’ve deserved the win.
But for Ugas, and the rest of the boxing world after that unexpected fight, there was only one thing that was clear: Pacquiao can hang with the best of them, anytime, anywhere.
“Without a doubt, one of the best fighters in history.” he said.
Ugas had dethroned Pacquiao in 2021 for the WBA (Super) welterweight title in fight that many deemed “retired” the Filipino’s career — that is, it ended Pacquiao’s legacy in boxing.
After Barrios, though, Ugas said that only Pacquiao can determine his exit.
That is, the sport that he has loved in decades, where he is also the lone boxer to hold a world championship in four different decades, will grant him a gracious exit — one where he will be able to dictate when and how he leaves the sport.
“Thank God, I’ll never hear a fan on the street say, “Retire, Pacquiao!” I’ve lifted a weight I’ve been carrying for four years. No one can retire a legend like Pacquiao.” wrote Ugas.
“He’ll retire from boxing when he and his family decide. Now I can move on.” he added.
Ugas’ last fight was a loss against Barrios in September 2023, where Barrios nabbed the then-vacant WBC interim welterweight title.