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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.
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.
"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."
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."
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."
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Toby Davis)
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