BoxRec

Press Release

Unified Welterweight Champion Errol Spence, Jr. was forced to withdraw from his blockbuster FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View showdown with eight-division and former welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, August 21 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas due to a retinal tear in his left eye.

WBA Welterweight Champion Yordenis Ugas will step up to replace Spence and will defend his title against Pacquiao, who won that title when he defeated Keith Thurman in his last fight July 2019. Ugas was preparing to make his first title defense against Fabian Maidana in the co-feature of the Spence-Pacquiao card. Being elevated to the main event against boxing legend Pacquiao means Ugas will get a career-defining fight sooner rather than later.

Spence discovered that he had a torn retina during a pre-fight medical examination by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in Las Vegas on Monday. He flew back home to Dallas, Texas on Tuesday and will have surgery to repair the tear on Wednesday. Spence is expected to make a full recovery and return to the ring.

“It’s an unfortunate turn of events that Errol has a retinal tear and subsequent surgery has prevented him from participating in this big pay-per-view event. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to his return to the ring,’’ said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “We’re excited that Manny has agreed to move forward and Ugas has stepped up to defend his title against the man who once held the title. Ugas was in the co-feature and had been preparing to fight on this date, so he’s ready. It’s a major challenge, because now he has to make his first title defense against a boxing legend in a career-defining fight.’’

The 35-year-old Ugás (26-4, 12 KOs) has established himself as an elite welterweight since returning from a layoff in 2016 and was elevated to world champion in January after winning a WBA Championship belt by defeating Abel Ramos last September. Ugás, who is from Santiago, Cuba and now lives in Miami, Florida, was on an eight-fight winning streak before losing a narrow split-decision to Shawn Porter in a world title fight in March 2019. The Olympic bronze medalist trains in Las Vegas and owns victories over then undefeated fighters Jamal James, Omar Figueroa Jr. and Bryant Perrella, plus veteran contenders Thomas Dulorme and Ray Robinson.

I feel bad for Pacquaio.

This fight could have made him a case for #1 ATG.

Still a PPV?

Does any major fight actually go down as scheduled anymore?

That being said I'm happy for Ugas, and I think he's gonna win.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑10 Aug 2021, 15:24 Still a PPV?

Yup..

Should knock the price down TBF..

I wonder how Ugas's health is really, them giving him a stay busy fight before this? (Health issues of some kind over the last year)

Anyway, Pac will be favored now but a healthy Ugas is a very live dog in this. I would favor him if 100% healthy.

one level below Spence ...still very dangerous for 42 y old Manny

Bandog wrote: ↑10 Aug 2021, 15:33 I wonder how Ugas's health is really, them giving him a stay busy fight before this? (Health issues of some kind over the last year)

Anyway, Pac will be favored now but a healthy Ugas is a very live dog in this. I would favor him if 100% healthy.

Ugas had alopecia

fornicate.

Not what we wanted to hear.
Ugas could be problematic for an aging Manny.

So tired of this horsesh&t in Boxing. This is why we now have to look forward to fights between Howard Stern and Pat Sajac. These idiotic you tubers and whatnots. It’s time for the contracts to contain the fine print as to what is required for proof in order to postpone fights. As far as I know, postponing a fight is as easy as me calling in sick to work. Start hitting these d-heads in their wallets and we’ll see only the serious ones postponed. What an F’ng joke this whole year of boxing has been. Worst year in 50. F this sport

If I’m Manny, I’m telling Ugas to screw. I can’t make a change like this that late with a legendary boxer like Manny. It’s not fair at all to do. He’s been working his tail off to fight one specific boxer. Screw that. My guess is that Spence banked in the lawsuit standing in the way of this fight happening and that it didn’t, he’s unprepared. What a pusssssy.

Manny hasn’t had a fight In two years….I’m Sure he wants the fight and the payday now….his side is likely the one that immediately was looking for a replacement.

This will be close

caldo2025 wrote: ↑10 Aug 2021, 16:15 If I’m Manny, I’m telling Ugas to screw. I can’t make a change like this that late with a legendary boxer like Manny. It’s not fair at all to do. He’s been working his tail off to fight one specific boxer. Screw that. My guess is that Spence banked in the lawsuit standing in the way of this fight happening and that it didn’t, he’s unprepared. What a pusssssy.

Thanks for confirming that you are still an idiot.

Spence would have beaten the aged Pacquiao.

I see no reason that the technically sound, cagey Ugas won't do a number on the Filipino.

Pacquiao is 42 and layered in 2 years of rust. Ugas can make him look silly round after round.

It's just up to the judges to get it right.

If I'm honest, I want most of all for Manny to retire healthy.
So I would prefer Ugas does it over Spence..

Damn!

Probably the biggest fight of the year got canned!

caldo2025 wrote: ↑10 Aug 2021, 16:15 If I’m Manny, I’m telling Ugas to screw. I can’t make a change like this that late with a legendary boxer like Manny. It’s not fair at all to do. He’s been working his tail off to fight one specific boxer. Screw that. My guess is that Spence banked in the lawsuit standing in the way of this fight happening and that it didn’t, he’s unprepared. What a pusssssy.

Spence is a pussy? I know people react differently to disappointment, but come on dude. He's as game as I've ever seen any boxer.

Still a great fight. Better for Manny fans to be honest. No one wants to see an all time great go down. Ugas is good but it is a close fight. Leaning towards Manny on the cards. Not sure if Ugas's health is 100%?

Saw Ugas fight Porter, Pacquiao should beat him.

A retinal tear is a serious thing. Never mind getting punched, at any point the retina could detach and then Spence could lose his vision in that eye. It wouldn't mean the postponement of one fight, it would mean Spence would have to retire. It sucks but better that they found it now then after Spence lost the eye.

Pacquiao vs Ugas is actually a more interesting fight, a bit more competitive. Ugas is a hell of a fighter and it's a great opportunity he deserves. He's had his own health problems to fight through, getting a shot at an all-time great and the biggest payday of his career. It's a toss up type fight. Wish it wasn't pay-per-view. I probably won't buy it but they should have it either at a local bar, Filipino restaurant, or movie theater. It's always an event here locally, a big Filipino community and they always turn out and get excited about their man.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑10 Aug 2021, 19:10 If I'm honest, I want most of all for Manny to retire healthy.
So I would prefer Ugas does it over Spence..

I agree, although I feel bad for Spence, given the exposure and juice to his legacy this fight would have brought. Spence seems to be in a spiral that he may not be able to pull up from.

Ugas, otoh, has been given the opportunity of his life.

ironbeard wrote: ↑10 Aug 2021, 22:15

KiwiRider wrote: ↑10 Aug 2021, 19:10 If I'm honest, I want most of all for Manny to retire healthy.
So I would prefer Ugas does it over Spence..

I agree, although I feel bad for Spence, given the exposure and juice to his legacy this fight would have brought. Spence seems to be in a spiral that he may not be able to pull up from.

Ugas, otoh, has been given the opportunity of his life.

I have to agree. When I heard, I actually sighed relief for Manny. Wondering how serious this torn retina is for Spence though,.

Can't honestly say this fight is a good filler inner, it's a bit dull.