LAS VEGAS - The WBA has come under a lot of fire in 2021. Earlier this month, WBA judge Gloria Martinez Rizzo scored the fight between Gabriel Maestre and Mykal Fox 117-110 for Maestre even though Fox clearly won. The sanctioning body declared they would order a rematch. Then WBA president Gilbert Mendoza Jr. proceeded to suspend Rizzo for six months after making racist tweets in the past about former first lady Michelle Obama.
In January, the WBA removed Manny Pacquiao from being the WBA (super) welterweight champion and moved him to "champion in recess" due to inactivity as he hadn't fought since winning the belt from Keith Thurman in his last fight in July 2019. Because of the ruling, Yordenis Ugas went from "regular" to "super" titleholder. The decision caused a controversy because of the travel restrictions for Pacquiao to travel from his native Phillippines to compete in the United States. Pacquiao and his team asked the WBA in July to consider reinstating the sport's only eight-division world champion as the "super" champion ahead of his scheduled bout with IBF and WBC titlist Errol Spence Jr. But the organization refused to reinsert Pacquiao into the position.
Last week, it was announced that Spence had to pull out of the fight due to a retinal tear in his left eye and was going to be replaced by Ugas to face Pacquiao on Saturday from the T-Mobile Arena with the WBA belt hanging in the balance. Calls have been for fighters to disregard the WBA for their actions as of late. Even though the WBA demoted him earlier in 2021, Pacquiao has found a silver lining in why he's still going to battle for the gold this weekend.
"It’s about my legacy and my name," Pacquiao told DAZN News at Tuesday's grand arrivals. "It’s also of course, for my career and my country."
While he respects Ugas for his talents and what could be a highly entertaining affair, Pacquiao wasn't too thrilled that the Cuban accepted the new status instead of facing him for the title inside the ring.
"It’s not good for someone to take the belt without fighting me," Pacquiao said. "I think it’s a challenge and a good fight. I know both of us prepare for this fight. It’s going to be a great fight."