Pacquiao wants back belt handed to Ugas

Manny Pacquiao doesn’t need another crown to validate his greatness. But not this time.

He wants his World Boxing Association “super” welterweight crown back.

Reason: Pacquiao felt the WBA did him wrong in stripping him of the belt and awarding it to Yordenis Ugas without throwing a punch.

Pacquiao feels Ugas needs to prove he deserves the 147-pound title inside the ring.

And they will settle the matter on Saturday, August 21 (Sunday, August 22, Manila time) at the T-Mobile Arena here.

“It’s not good for someone to take that belt without fighting me,” said Pacquiao during Tuesday’s grand arrival held in the open air for the first time at Toshiba Plaza here

Rather than take it personally, Pacquiao was pleasant with Ugas when they met for the first time on Tuesday.

There were no tense moments as they showed mutual respect in a few seconds of the face off.

“It’s okay, it’s nice to see him,” said Pacquiao when asked about his chance encounter with Ugas as opponents usually take turns in arriving and leaving during the ceremonial arrival.

Asked about what would be his main weapons in beating Ugas, Pacquiao said speed and power.

“You need to use your advantage so you can easily control the fight,” said Pacquiao. “You can do whatever you want to do. It’s easy to do it because you’re fast.”

No wonder, Pacquiao’s training camp in Los Angeles and his winding down sessions here were focused on enhancing his speed further.

Pacquiao, spent his morning run at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas on Tuesday, doing 16 rounds at the oval and abdominal exercises before sunrise.

Later, he did gym works at his suite on the 29th floor of MGM Grand.

Pacquiao will conclude his preparations for Ugas with another run at UNLV on Wednesday, according to conditioning coach Justin Fortune.

Also present were consultant Freddie Roach and Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez, who both believed Ugas is tailor-fit for Pacquiao.

Though Pacquiao has been installed the overwhelming favorite to beat Ugas, the eight-division world champion refuses to be drawn into complacency.

He wants to prove to the WBA and Ugas he’s the king. – Rappler.com