Shawn Porter On Ugas Strategy- “Being Physical Without Getting Hit”

The countdown has begun for Saturday night’s Las Vegas return of future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao after a two year layoff. And, a former World Welterweight champ, who’s been in the ring himself with Pac-man’s Saturday opponent, has advice for Yordenis Ugas. 

Former WBC champ, Shawn Porter hosted the latest edition of his “The Porter Way Podcast” video/audio show Sunday night, and made clear that the newly elevated WBA World Champion Cuban must get Pacquiao’s attention to have a shot to win,

“It benefits Ugas to try to counter punch Manny. But it also benefits Ugas to get some respect…. I think that Manny watches enough film. I think that Freddie (Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer) watches enough film…if Manny feels something, he’s gonna respect it. And, they’re gonna respect it and make some adjustments,” Porter said on the show.

I think it’s combination of Ugas not only counter punching Manny, but also being physical without getting hit.

Manny is “gonna do Manny.” He’s gonna come in with combinations and try to set up that straight left. And, he’s basically going to fight in spurts.

Porter would obviously know a lot about Ugas, as he defeated him in a hotly contested split decision in March of 2019 to win the vacant WBC title.

As for the Cuban, Ugas, 26-4, 12 KOs, he was elevated to world champion in January after winning a WBA Championship belt by defeating Abel Ramos last September. Ugás, had been on an eight-fight winning streak before losing to Porter just over two years ago.

As for the now 42 year old Pacquiao, he is 62-7-2 and defeated Adrian Broner on PPV by decision in the first fight of his Premier Boxing Champions deal in January of 2019. That led to him taking the WBA World Welterweight title off unbeaten, champ Keith Thurman with a stirring 12 round performance in July of that year. However, the Filipino legend has not fought since.

So, it’s anyone’s guess as to what Manny will truly look like and how effective he will be for the fight, if it continues into later rounds?

And, Porter believes the second half of the fight would be the most intriguing. He again said Sunday night,

“I think that this fight is going to become interesting after six rounds….I think Manny is going to slow down. I think Manny is going to try to find more, smaller spurts to steal rounds. And, I think if Ugas has gotten his respect, it becomes a really good fight after six.”

Still, that may be easier said than done for the Cuban.