'Shambles': Manny Pacquiao announcement stuns boxing world

Fans have been left bitterly disappointed again after welterweight champion Errol Spence, Jr. was forced to withdraw from his August 21 fight against Manny Pacquiao due to a retinal tear in his left eye.

Pacquiao was set to step back in the ring at the age of 42 to take on the undefeated champion in a highly-anticipated bout.

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But Spence, the WBC and IBF welterweight world champion who has a 27-0 record, learned he had a torn retina during a pre-fight medical examination by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in Las Vegas on Monday.

Cuban Yordenis Ugas, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has agreed to replace Spence in the main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and defend his WBA welterweight belt against Pacquiao, who has won titles in eight divisions.

"I was excited about the fight and the event," Spence said in a news release.

"Unfortunately, the doctors found a tear in my left eye and said I needed to get surgery on it ASAP and that there was no way I could fight with my eye in that condition."

Fans were left utterly disappointed with the cancelled bout, which has followed a number of fights falling through including Tyson Fury-Anthony Johsua, Fury-Deontay Wilder and Canelo Alvarez-Caleb Plant.

Spence, who has returned home to Dallas, Texas and will have surgery to repair the tear on Wednesday, is expected to make a full recovery and return to the ring.

"I ask everyone to join me in praying for a full and complete recovery for Errol Spence Jr.," said Pacquiao. "Thank God his physical examination discovered his eye condition before he suffered any further damage."

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In Pacquiao's most recent fight, in July 2019, the Filipino southpaw beat Keith Thurman in a split decision to win his since-vacated WBA super welterweight title belt.

Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) has established himself as an elite welterweight since returning from a layoff in 2016 and was elevated to world champion in January after winning a WBA championship belt by defeating Abel Ramos last September.

The 35-year-old Cuban said it is an honor to get a chance to fight Pacquiao and that he is ready for the challenge despite the short notice.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Pacquiao, but I am coming to win this fight," said Ugas.

"I've been in camp working hard with my coach Ismael Salas and I know together we will come up with a masterful game plan to combat anything Manny will bring to the ring."

A potential bout between Pacquiao and Spencer now looks unlikely with the Filipino looking to run for president in 2022.

with Reuters

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