LAS VEGAS — Saturday night could very well be the last time Manny Pacquiao steps into a boxing ring.
The sport's first and only eight-division world champion will enter it just a few months shy of his 43rd birthday to face WBA (Super) welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas at T-Mobile Arena on Fox pay-per-view.
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This wasn't the original plan for Pacquiao's potential swan song. He was set to face WBC and IBF champion Errol Spence Jr., but Spence suffered an eye injury and was forced to withdraw just less than two weeks shy of fight night. Ugas, who was already set to defend his title in the co-main event, stepped in on short notice for what would be the biggest fight of his career.
Ugas is a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist who has had some success as a professional. Since suffering a controversial split decision loss to Shawn Porter in 2019, Ugas has won three in a row and captured the vacant WBA title when he defeated Abel Ramos last September. The Cuban has proved to be a tough out for his opponents due to his tricky amateur style.
Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) will have both a height and reach advantage over Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs); three inches in height and two inches in reach.
Pacquiao has not fought since July 20, 2019, when he defeated Keith Thurman by split decision to win the WBA (Super) welterweight title and become the oldest welterweight champion in history at 40. He has won each of his past three fights, with a win over Adrien Broner by unanimous decision and a technical knockout of Lucas Matthysse being the others.
Will Pacquiao once again become a world champion and perhaps ride off into the sunset as he prepares to launch a presidential campaign in his home country of the Philippines? Or will Ugas prove that he's more than just an opponent and pick up the biggest win of his career?
Follow all the action as Sporting News provides live updates from ringside of the Pacquiao-Ugas fight.
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Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas live updates, highlights
Sporting News will provide live updates beginning at 10 p.m. ET.
When is Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas?
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 21
The Pacquiao-Ugas fight will take place Aug. 21, 2021. The main card begins at 9 p.m. ET, with the main-event fighters expected to be in the ring around 12:30 a.m. ET.
How to watch Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas
- Fox Sports PBC PPV ($74.99)
- iNDemand ($74.99)
Pacquiao vs. Ugas will be available on pay-per-view through Fox Sports' Premier Boxing Champions and iNDemand.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas fight card
- Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas for Ugas' WBA (Super) welterweight championship
- Robert Guerrero vs. Victor Ortiz; welterweights
- Mark Magsayo vs. Julio Ceja; featherweights
- Carlos Castro vs. Oscar Escandon; featherweights