Manny Pacquiao lost his throne without fighting as the World Boxing Association (WBA) decided to strip the senator’s super welterweight title due to inactivity on Friday, January 29 (Saturday, January 30, Philippine time).
Instead, the ‘People’s Champ’ (62-7-2, 39KO) is now named as a ‘champion in recess’ by the boxing committee and will give the title to Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugas (26-4, 12KO)
“The WBA, according to its rule C.14, dictates that champions and their teams are required to know the WBA rules and regulations.
“Rule C.22-24 states that when a champion is unable to defend the belt for medical, legal or other reasons beyond his control, he may be named champion in recess,” WBA said on its official website.
“Manny Pacquiao is a legend and he’ll always be a champion,” Ugas said. “But his intention [is to fight Conor] McGregor and now Ryan [Garcia]. You cannot hijack a championship. I don’t want this position for easy fights. My team has my consent to fight Pacquiao.”
Rumors of potential big fights swirled the past months – which includes big names such as Conor McGregor, Eroll Spence Jr, and Ryan Garcia – but Pacquiao has yet to formally announce his next step in his boxing career.
Pacquiao’s last fight was back in 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman via split decision for the super welterweight crown.
Thank God, my agent, my team, family and fans today is a great day for me. Thanks to the WBA for raising me to Super Champion and doing what is best for Sport. Manny Pacquiao is a legend and he will always be champion, his intention was Mggregor and now Ryan, but you cannot... pic.twitter.com/alc40oSJuB
— Yordenis Ugas (@YordenisUgas) January 29, 2021