Manny Pacquiao’s loss sparks statement from Malacañang

  MANILA – Following Manny Pacquiao’s shock defeat to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas, Malacañang issued a statement on Sunday (August 22) saying the Filipino boxing icon will always be the “People’s Champ”. “Senator Pacquiao will forever be etched in the hearts of Filipinos as our People’s Champ. Mabuhay ka, Manny (Long live, Manny)!” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said. Pacquiao failed to reclaim the World Boxing Association super welterweight belt, bowing to a unanimous decision loss to Ugas during their fight in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday (Sunday in UAE). Despite the defeat, Pacquiao will always have the Filipino public’s “unwavering” support, said Roque. “The boxing icon’s loss in Las Vegas would not diminish the honors he bestowed to our country and the joy he gave to our people,” Roque said in a press statement. The 42-year-old Filipino boxer stepped into the ring after a two-year absence to face the 35-year-old Ugas, a last-minute replacement for injured American boxer Errol Spence Jr. After being knocked to the canvas in the eighth round, Pacquiao fought until the 12th round, sustaining a cut above his left eye and a significant swelling below his right eye. Ugas called him a “great competitor” and thanked boxing’s only eight-division champion for “giving me this moment in the ring today”. Pacquiao was supposed to fight Spence, but the American withdrew from the fight after suffering an eye injury. Meanwhile, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), praised Pacquiao for putting up a “good fight”. “His loss may be unexpected to a nation still euphoric over a sterling Olympic performance of our athletes but the outcome did not diminish our respect to the man who brought so much honor to the country and put the Philippines in the sporting map around the globe,” the PDP-Laban said in a statement. ICA/Expat Media
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