MANNY PACQUIAO is set to be given a ‘Champion for Life’ belt by the WBA despite being STRIPPED of his title before losing to Yordenis Ugas.
Pacquiao in July 2019 became the WBA’s welterweight champion after beating Keith Thurman.
But amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Filipino icon was sidelined and unable to return.
It controversially saw him lose his WBA belt due to inactivity, with Ugas being elevated from secondary ‘Regular’ champion to the full version.
PacMan, 42, was then due to challenge Errol Spence Jr, 31, for the WBC and IBF unified titles.
But the unbeaten American pulled out with an eye injury and Ugas, 35, already set to feature on the undercard, replaced Spence on 11 days notice.
It gave Pacquiao the chance to win back the belt that he never actually lost in the ring.
But according to Rappler, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza said the boxing legend would be honoured as ‘Champion for Life’ regardless of the result.
Unfortunately for Pacquiao, he was beaten over 12 rounds and left hinting at retirement afterwards.
At the post-fight press conference, he said: “In the future, you might not see Manny Pacquiao again fight in the ring.
“I don’t know. But, for how many decades, I’m happy with what I’ve done in boxing.
“I contributed a record and brought boxing to the top, and especially, brought honour to my country, the Filipino people.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
