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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider Pacquiao vs Ugas: For pride and honor

Pacquiao vs Ugas: For pride and honor

Published Aug 22, 2021 12:06 am
Senator Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines waves after the weigh-in before his fight against WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas of Cuba (not pictured) on August 20, 2021 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. - Pacquiao and Ugas will fight Saturday August 21 at T-Mobile Arena. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP)

Famed American promoter Gary Shaw has this penchant for promoting non-American boxers for the simple reason that most of them enter the business of prizefighting not just for money.
 
One of the most influential boxing figures of all time, Shaw believes these types of boxers always have a great chance of making it big in the United States as most of them carry the pride of their country.
 
Contacted by the Manila Bulletin, Shaw cites Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao as one those non-American pugilists who gets tremendous inspiration from his countrymen.
 
Shaw spoke to the Bulletin just days before American Errol Spence backed out of the Pacquiao fight because of an eye injury.
 
“Manny knows what each fight really means and to the Filipino people. I believe he doesn’t fight only for himself. He fights for the people of the Philippines. Errol Spence is only fighting for himself,” Shaw told the Bulletin who also felt Pacquiao can beat Spence had it not been scrapped.
 
Shaw has promoted countless foreign boxers and made them superstars in the United States namely Armenians Vic Darchinyan and William Abelyan, Mexican Antonio DeMarco, Frenchman Thomas Dulorme, Nigerian Lateef Kayode, Puerto Rican Jorge Maysonet Jr., Tongan Heavyweight Bowie Tupou and Filipino Nonito Donaire, Jr.
 
“I had some Colombians that became world champions because they were fighting for Colombia and not just for themselves. Same thing with the Mexicans. That’s what make these boxers very tough opponents,” said Shaw.
 
If Shaw is to be believed, Pacquiao could be in for a tough night this weekend when he faces 35-year-old Yordenis Ugas of Cuba, the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion.
 
Cuban boxers campaigning in the United States have standard stories to tell, that most of them ‘escaped’ Cuba as their way of fighting oppression in that socialist nation.
 
′′ I'm a fighter not only inside the ring, but outside I also fight for the freedom of my people That's the most important thing to me. I hope everyone fighting for freedom in Cuba is safe and know that I will fight with my heart also for them on Saturday, August 21,” was what Cuban posted on his Facebook Page days before facing Pacquiao.
 
The dream continues to burn for Ugas who, back in Cuba, tried to escape six times but was caught and jailed each time.
 
“This means the world to me. I’m fighting not for the money, but for my legacy, for my country, for my own story that’s going to be told. This is the most important fight of my life,” said Ugas who was finally able to flee Cuba by boarding a raft then travelled to Miami via Mexico for two days.
 
“When you’re in a dictatorship, it’s tough to overcome the fear to flee. Getting away is not easy to seek political asylum. It’s a testament of the human spirit so he can be able to fulfill his potential and talent in sports and in boxing,” said US Senator Robert Menendez, himself of Cuban heritage whose family also had to flee Cuba to seek refuge in the United States.
 
That potential is now presenting itself to Ugas and it will be all up to him once he and Pacquiao remain as the only men standing atop the ring Saturday night (Las Vegas time) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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