Robert Garcia, the older brother of welterweight contender Mikey Garcia, paid homage to Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao ahead of his super WBA title bout against Cuban foe Yordenis Ugas at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada Saturday, Aug. 21 there (Sunday in Manila).

Garcia has nothing but respect for Pacquiao despite settling for a fight against unified WBC and IBF champion Errol Spence Jr. first before Ugas took over as a replacement.

Unfortunately, the mega-bout against Spence did not materialize after the undefeated champion suffered a retinal detachment on his left eye two weeks before the match.

But just by challenging Spence to a world title bout, also the vacant The Ring belt at stake, Garcia said Pacquiao proved that the 42-year-old fighting senator is a boxer of a different caliber.

"I was surprised but I have to say nothing but good things and much respect for Manny Pacquiao," said Garcia in an interview with Manila Bulletin's Dennis Principe. "We never thought he would pick that fight. Errol Spence is the best -- if not the best welterweight.

"And we didn't expect Manny to pick Errol Spence but just by doing that, it shows that he's a true legend and one of the fighters that we're gonna remember as one of the best in history."

It would be recalled that Mikey Garcia is among the long list of welterweights on Pacquiao's list. Others included, aside from Spence and Garcia, were WBO welterweight king Terence Crawford and interim WBC lightweight titleholder Ryan Garcia.

But when it was narrowed down between Spence and Mikey, Pacquiao settled for the former because he wanted a "real fight" and to challenge the best out there.

Spence, 31, is very much qualified having been unbeaten in 27 matches with 21 knockouts plus two titles on his belt.

Robert wasn't bitter or anything and instead respected Pacquiao's decision.

"He had the heart to say, 'You know what, I want a bigger fight. I want a more dangerous fight. I want a fight that nobody thinks I should take and nobody thinks I should win.' And he took it," said the former IBF junior lightweight champion.

Boxing analysts Atty. Ed Tolentino and Nissi Icasiano echoed Garcia's sentiments and were in unison that Pacquiao still poses a huge threat at age 42. He will turn 43 in four months by December.

Pacquiao, the only eight-division world boxing champion, has not fought since beating Keith Thurman in July 2019 to improve with 62 wins on top of 39 knockouts, seven losses, and two draws.

"In fact, he's the last of his breed, in my opinion na 'yong boksingerong walang pinipili kung sinong iharap sa kanya, lalaban niya. Considering his age, 40 , inactive for two years, ay nakapagtataka talaga na ito ang kanyang piniling laban (He's the last of his breed of a boxer who wouldn't back down from a fight or who wouldn't be picky with his opponents. Considering his age, it's still a wonder why he chose Spence)," said Tolentino.

"Pero sabi nga natin, 'di naman kukunin ni Manny ito kung talagang alam niyang madedehado lang siya. Alam niya may nakita siyang weakness kay Errol Spence at mataas pa rin ang ang kanyang bilib sa sarili, sa kanyang abilidad at nakikita naman natin before the cancellation of the fight, ang ganda ng mga naging session na pinapakita ni Manny Pacquiao (But as we all know, Manny wouldn't choose this if he didn't see any weaknesses in Spence. He is still confident with himself and his skills and we saw that even before the cancellation, his impressive showing in training camp)."

Icasiano, for his part, said it was an unfortunate event that the biggest boxing bout of the year was scrapped due to unforeseen circumstances.

"It just goes to show that Manny Pacquiao is a cut above the rest," said Icasiano.

"'Pag dumating ka na sa elite level of boxing, madi-distinguish ka lang into two breeds -- a good boxer and a great boxer. It just proves that Manny Pacquiao is a great boxer na even past his prime, you will still give the youngsters or these young guns a good spanking before earning their stripes (When you reach an elite level of boxing, you will be distinguished as either a great or a good boxer. It just proves that Manny Pacquiao is a great boxer given that at his prime, he would give these young boxers a good spanking before earning their stripes)."

That said, thanks to Ugas, the show went on as they dispute the super WBA welterweight title while Pacquiao's protege Mark Magsayo and former Mexican champion Julio Ceja clash in the WBC featherweight title eliminator.