Manny Pacquiao arrives in Las Vegas for battle with Ugas

LAS VEGAS, August 18 ------ Manny Pacquiao arrived in Las Vegas for his welterweight title showdown against reigning champion Yordenis Ugas in what could be his last pro fight. Pacquiao rode on a black Mitsubishi SUV together with his family during the four hour travel from Los Angeles. The 42-year-old boxing legend had his final workout at the Wild Card gym early Monday before departing for the Entertainment Capital of the world shortly after. The only eighth-time world division champion is billeted at a suite on the 29th floor of the MGM Grand as Las Vegas again welcomed with a red carpet two years since he last saw action in the ring during his welterweight title fight against Keith Thurman which Pacquiao won by split decision.

With COVID cases on a surge here, Team Pacquiao had to do away with a large entourage accompanying him on his travel to Las Vegas. Notably not around is the personalized, colorfully-designed Team Pacquiao bus that has been a fixture in past fights by the boxing icon. In order to avoid cramping people inside the bus and risk spreading the virus, the camp of Pacquiao decided not to have the bus at this point of the pandemic. Convoy of cars - although not as large as before - instead, were seen backing up the lead vehicle carrying the Filipino senator and his family.

Yordenis Ugas arrived in Las Vegas ahead of Manny Pacquiao. Ugas, the defending WBA 147-lb title holder and last-minute replacement for Errol Spence, arrived in Vegas ahead of his Filipino challenger. Upon seeing the huge, glittering billboards around the Strip which bannered the Pacquiao-Ugas fight, the 35-year-old Cuban couldn't help but be proud of the moment. "God is good," he said on Tweeter, complete with a single praying emoji. "Enjoying the process."

The two are scheduled to slug it out for 12 rounds on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena (Sunday, Manila time).

Source: spin.ph