Combat sports are notoriously cruel to fighters who stick around too long, and that’s just as true for legends and G.O.A.T.s as it is for simple journeymen. Last night (Sat., Aug. 21, 2021), 42-year-old Manny Pacquiao showed his age in a decision loss to 35-year-old Yordenis Ugas, who retained his WBA (Super) Welterweight title.
Pacquiao started out strong, but lost steam in the second half of the fight, leading to a 115-113 116-112 116-112 scorecard. Ugas used his long reach and jab to keep the aggressive Pacquiao at bay, landing numerous big right hands that overshadowed Manny’s less effective volume. It was a clear-cut win that had many questioning Pacquiao’s fighting future … “Pac-Man” included.
“In the future, you might not see Manny Pacquiao again fight in the ring,” Pacquiao said during the post fight press conference (via Bloody Elbow). “I don’t know. But, for how many decades, I’m happy with what I’ve done in boxing. I contributed a record and brought boxing to the top, and especially, brought honor to my country, the Filipino people.”
“Whether there’s a purse or not, in my heart, I want to fight. I want to continue fighting. But the thing is, I also have to consider my body. I have to consider my work [as a politician] back in my country. There are a lot of things I need to accomplish and to help people. And I want to be an inspiration to all the people.”
Pacquiao is 5-2 over the past five years, hardly a terrible record. But, when you have spent as much time at the very top of the sport, each loss is a blemish on a legacy … one that Pacquiao is hoping is enough to see him become president of the Philippines in the future.
Pacquiao also elaborated on his post-fight comments regarding problems with his legs.
“I’m not saying this is my excuse, but both of my legs were cramping,” he said. “That’s why I could not move around. In the early days [of my career], I could easily move and outbox him. But, this time around, it was like my two legs were tight and hurting me in the second round until the 12th round. My mind and my heart were 100 percent, but my legs were cramping.
“Too much hard work, training,” he suggested as a culprit. “I ran in the mountains and did 32 rounds (in the gym) every day. I don’t know. But, we’re not young anymore.”
As for Ugas, he has designs on becoming the next unified welterweight champion.
“Now, the plan is to unify the title,” Ugas declared in the ring following his victory. “Everyone said he was the champion, now they know who the real champion is.”
For complete coverage of “Pacquiao vs. Ugas,” including play-by-play updates, click here.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
