Gulf Today Report

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao believes a change of opponent has had no impact on his training as he prepares to reclaim his world welterweight title on Saturday after a two-year layoff.

At T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Pacquiao takes on WBA champion Yordenis Ugas in a rematch after his first opponent, Errol Spence Jr., suffered an eye injury.

The sudden withdrawal of Spence, the undefeated IBF and WBC champion, has robbed Pacquiao, 42, of another superfight at the end of his illustrious career.

Pacquiao, who hasn’t fought since winning the WBA title from Keith Thurman in July 2019, will have to adjust his training to accommodate for the fact that he’ll be fighting a right-handed opponent rather than a southpaw.

Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 knockouts) downplayed the significance of the tactical shift as he prepared for his 72nd bout since turning professional in 1995.

Pacquiao stated, “It simply took me two days to acclimate to fighting Ugas.”

“I’ve faced a lot of right-handed boxers in the past.”