Pacquiao vs Ugas: UK fight time, undercard, prediction, ring walks, TV, how to watch, live stream, odds

Manny Pacquiao returns to the boxing ring for the 72nd fight of his illustrious 26-year professional career this weekend.

The legendary eight-division world champion, who turns 43 in December, faces Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas in the main event on Saturday night in Las Vegas for the WBA ‘super’ welterweight title.

Pacquiao was originally supposed to face unified WBC and IBF welterweight king Errol Spence Jr in an eagerly-anticipated super-fight, only for Spence to withdraw from the contest last week due to a retinal tear in his left eye sustained during training that requires surgery.

Ugas has now stepped up at short notice, having previously been scheduled to defend his WBA belt against Fabian Maidana in the co-main event.

Pacquiao - who seemingly still has no plans to retire despite combining boxing with a political career in his native Philippines - is fighting for the first time since July 2019 after he rolled back the years to dominate Keith Thurman and pick up the WBA strap that was then removed from him in January of this year due to inactivity as Ugas was elevated, with Pacquiao made ‘champion in recess’.

Ugas is a former Olympic bronze medallist and amateur world champion who turned pro in 2010, now possessing a record of 26-4, with 12 knockouts.

The 35-year-old has rattled off three straight wins since a controversial loss against Shawn Porter in a WBC title challenge in March 2019, picking up the WBA ‘regular’ belt with a decision win over Abel Ramos last September before his eventual promotion to ‘super’ champion.

Pacquiao vs Ugas date, UK start time, venue and ring walks

Pacquiao vs Ugas is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It will be a familiar overnight affair for UK fight fans, with the main card action not due to begin until 2am BST in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Ring walks for the main event itself are not expected until between 4:30am and 5am.

Pacquiao vs Ugas fight card/undercard in full

Manny Pacquiao vs Yordenis Ugas

Robert Guerrero vs Victor Ortiz

Mark Magsayo vs Julio Ceja

Carlos Castro vs Oscar Escandon

How to watch Pacquiao vs Ugas

TV channel: In the UK, Pacquiao vs Ugas is available to watch live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage beginning at 2am on Sunday morning.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the action online via the website or Sky Go app.

Pacquiao vs Ugas prediction

Pacquiao is grateful for Ugas’ inclusion on the original card, having admitted that the fight would potentially have been cancelled altogether following Spence’s withdrawal without another welterweight title-holder on the bill.

He is now facing an orthodox fighter in Ugas rather than the brilliant southpaw Spence, but he is still anticipating the same aggressive contest.

Ugas has the potential to pose Pacquiao different problems and is a noted body puncher, but you write off ‘Pacman’ at your peril, even at 42.

Pacquiao via decision.

Pacquiao vs Ugas betting odds

Pacquiao to win: 4/11

Ugas to win: 100/30

Draw: 19/1

Pacquiao via KO/TKO or DQ: 13/8

Pacquiao via decision/technical decision: 11/8

Ugas via KO/TKO or DQ: 15/2

Ugas via decision/technical decision: 9/2

Odds via Betfair Exchange (subject to change). Click here to find out more.

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