Christopher Walker: Pacquiao too good despite age
So many questions exist regarding Manny Pacquiao. Is boxing still his priority? How will the two years off impact him? Is this the fight where his career catches up with him? In Yordenis Ugas, the Filipino legend is facing a serious threat and making a confident prediction is difficult due to the aformentioned issues. I'm saying that a faded version of Manny still has enough to squeeze past Ugas by the closest of margins.
Prediction: Pacquiao via decision
Mark Lelinwalla: It won't be easy for Pacquiao
Yordenis Ugas is a live and very dangerous underdog — especially on short notice — for Manny Pacquiao. While I see Pacquiao having to overcome several rough patches due to Ugas' rugged and durable style, I believe the boxing legend banks enough rounds with his bouncy, rhythmic movement and ultra-quick hands. Pacquiao on points by a slim margin.
Prediction: Pacquiao via split decision.
Liam Happe: Ugas' fight plan won't be enough
Ugas has spoken of his approach to this fight ever since he stepped in to replace Errol Spence Jr. at short notice. To me, he has seemed a little caught between the power-slugger approach Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach are anticipating, and the technical style Cubans are more renowned for that Yordenis himself admits may be required against Pac-Man. For him to succeed, he needs more confidence in one specific approach and the determination to impose it upon Manny. Meanwhile very few boxers have married force with finesse as well as the eight-weight world titleholder over the years, and while Ugas has never been halted, Pacquiao even at 42 will likely teach him a lesson in how to make hybrid offense work.
Prediction: Pacquiao via unanimous decision
Steven Muehlhausen: Pacquiao shows there's levels
While Yordenis Ugas isn't at the level of Errol Spence Jr., he's still a very live dog. People tend to forget he's a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, so he definitely has the chops. Pacquiao has to be careful in the early going because Ugas has everything to gain and nothing to lose. He's going to try and impose his will on the smaller "Pac-Man". If Pacquiao can avoid getting himself into any trouble, he can use his superior speed, movement and punching in combinations to win a decision and regain the belt he should have never been stripped of to begin with.
Prediction: Pacquiao via unanimous decision
Erika Montoya: Too much savvy from Pacquiao
For many years, Manny Pacquiao has been a constant that never ceases to amaze. He has gone from being an aggressive, fast-paced fighter to managing his aggression intelligently in order to compensate for the war he wages against time to keep retirement at bay. Pacquiao focuses fully on the gym to get to 100 percent and with a style where angles are his forte, he subdues his opponents who struggle to understand his pattern. As a good Cuban fighter, Ugas has a very different school where technique and tactics are his forte, presenting a tough test for anyone. But Pacquiao's ability to read his opponents give him the edge in the fight and I see him winning by decision.
Prediction: Pacquiao via decision