LAS VEGAS - Not many people are giving Yordenis Ugas a chance to beat Manny Pacquiao on Saturday to retain his WBA (super) welterweight title.
But what if the Cuban upsets the apple cart and hands Pacquiao a defeat? If that were to happen, the likely scenario is that Pacquiao would ride off into the sunset and start his run towards the presidency of his home country, the Phillippines. Of course, the future Hall of Famer could also walk away with a win and still announce his retirement.
Regardless, the possibility is there for Ugas to be the final opponent in Pacquiao's legendary career. The moment is something that isn't lost on the 35-year-old.
"It would mean a lot for me because what I want to make sure is if I am the final guy to step into the ring with Manny Pacquiao, I want to make sure that I brought everything and I got the best out of him," Ugas told DAZN News on Tuesday through an interpreter at the grand arrivals. "I know together we will make for a great fight."
Initially, Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) was set to compete on the co-feature of Pacquiao-Errol Spence Jr. against Fabian Maidana. Spence had to withdraw from the bout due to a retinal tear in his left eye, and Maidana also pulled out because of an eye injury. So Ugas slid up to the main event slot against one of boxing's greatest attractions on just 11 days notice. Stepping up to the plate with little time to prepare for a new foe is nothing out of the ordinary for Ugas. The only difference between those moments in the past and the one in front of the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist this weekend is the fact he's facing Manny Pacquiao.
"I have a lot of motivation heading into this fight," Ugas explained. "I’ve taken fights again on short notice against undefeated fighters. The only difference here is I’m taking on someone of the caliber of Manny Pacquiao. I’m very excited, and I feel like I am ready for this fight."