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Yordenis Ugás new welterweight world champion after Pacquiao's "break"

Pacquiao had obtained the super champion belt in July 2019 by beating the American Keith Thurman, but has not defended the title since then.

Manny Pacquiao / Yordenis Ugás © Instagram / Yordenis Ugas
Manny Pacquiao / Yordenis Ugás Photo © Instagram / Yordenis Ugas

This article is from 3 years ago

The Cuban boxerYordenis Ugás He received the welterweight world title after Filipino Manny Pacquiao was declared "recessed champion."

The Championships Committee of the World Boxing Association (WBA) issued a resolution recognizing the Cuban with that distinction, which elevates him to "super champion in welterweight," the WBA reported in itsofficial page.

Pacquiao had obtained the super champion belt in July 2019 by beating the American Keith Thurman, but has not defended the title since then.

Article C.22-24 of the ACB regulations states that "when a champion cannot defend the belt for medical, legal or other reasons beyond his control, he may be named champion in recess," the organization detailed.

Upon learning of his promotion, Ugás published on his Instagram that he was agreat day for Cuban boxing.

"Thank God, today is a great day for me, my family, my team, fans and for Cuban boxing." Thanks to the WBA for elevating me to Super Champion and doing what is best for the sport," he stated.

"Manny Pacquiao (42 years old) is a legend and will always be a champion, but you cannot, protected by your history, hijack a championship. This gives fans the opportunity to see a great unification fight at 147 pounds," he explained. .

"I don't want this position for easy fights. My next fight I want a unification. I am a warrior committed to his career and his hobby, who has fought and earned every penny and every opportunity. I will have the fight that I have pursued for years. Thank you all and I can't wait to announce what's next," he said on the social network.

Pacquiao's next objectives ranged between a fight against UFC star Conor McGregor or against the interned WBC lightweight champion Ryan Garcia. With McGregor recently defeated by Dustin Poirier and this announcement, it seems that García's option is the one that has the most relevance.

Ugás, 34 years old, was the amateur lightweight world champion in 2005, in Mianyang (China); and bronze in the same category at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

On September 6, the boxer became the second Cuban to win the welterweight world title of the World Boxing Association (WBA) after defeating the American Abel Ramos in 12 rounds.

Days before, he had sent a nostalgic message to his followers, remembering the reasons that made him leave Cuba and emigrate to the United States.

“Ten years ago he was the best boxer in Cuba. I left the national team. I left everything behind, separated from my family and got on a boat to come to this country. To be a free man and become a world champion in the professionals. With God's help. "Sunday is my day!" he expressed on his Instagram account.

At the end of October, Ugás sent another message of optimism and said that "succeeding in life is not winning," but rather "starting over every time you fall."

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