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Mike CoppingerESPN
Manny Pacquiao and Yordenis Ugas fight for Ugas’ WBA “super” welterweight title in the main event of Saturday’s PPV card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs), 42, a senator in his home country of the Philippines, hasn’t fought since defeating Keith Thurman by split decision in July 2019. Saturday night’s bout may be the last fight of his Hall of Fame career — if he follows through with his intention to run for president.
Pacquiao won this WBA belt with his victory over Thurman, but he was stripped in January due to inactivity. Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs), 35, of Cuba, then the WBA secondary titleholder, was elevated to full titlist. Now Pacquiao wants his title back, and if he’s successful, he will become the only fighter to win a welterweight title five times.
Ugas, who was scheduled to fight on the undercard, stepped in for the injured Errol Spence Jr. to face Pacquiao on only 11 days’ notice. He lost a close decision to Shawn Porter in 2019, but has since won three consecutive fights.
In the co-main event, former champions Robert Guerrero and Victor “Vicious” Ortiz will meet in a 10-round welterweight battle.
Follow live as Mike Coppinger recaps all the action from Las Vegas throughout the night.
Fight in progress: Mark Magsayo vs. Julio Ceja, 10 rounds, featherweights
Results:
Carlos Castro def. Oscar Escandon by 10th-round KO
Fight recap coming up …
Contreras upsets Dato
Angel Antonio Contreras scored a unanimous decision win over John Dato in an eight-round featherweight fight, handing the latter his first pro defeat. The cards read 78-73, 77-74 and 77-74 for Contreras, who improved to 11-4-2 with 6 KOs.
The 27-year-old Mexican fighter beat Dato to the punch in a bout that was mostly contested on the inside. The victory is Contreras’ first in his past four fights.
Dato, a 28-year-old Filipino fighter, is now 14-1-1.
Spencer outclasses Villalobos for decision win
Mickel Spencer, the brother of undefeated prospect Joey Spencer, was successful in his pro debut. The 17-year-old from Union City, California, scored a shutout unanimous decision over Eliseo Villalobos in a four-round lightweight fight. All three judges scored it the same: 40-36.
Mickel Spencer was in control from the opening bell and cruised.
Villalobos (1-2, 0 KOs), a 21-year-old from Simi Valley, California, has lost two straight after winning his pro debut.
Still to come:
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Title fight: Yordenis Ugas vs. Manny Pacquiao, 12 rounds, for Ugas’ WBA “super” welterweight title
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Robert Guerrero vs. Victor Ortiz, 10 rounds, welterweights