Yordenis Ugas upsets Manny Pacquiao via unanimous decision

LAS VEGAS — The WBA took the belt that Manny Pacquiao won in the ring away from him in January and gave it to Yordenis Ugas.

But on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, Ugas won the welterweight title fair and square, landing at a far higher percentage than the 42-year-old Filipino senator in what may have been his final fight.

Judges had it 116-112 twice and 115-113 for Ugas, who is now 27-5 and was a 4-1 underdog.

“He’s a great competitor, but I won the fight,” said Ugas, who credited his jab with helping him to win the fight.

Ugas landed 59 percent of his power shots, touching Pacquiao repeatedly down the stretch with his right hand. His size and reach seemed to cause Pacquiao difficulty and Pacquiao had a tough time getting inside.

Ugas used the jab early to keep Pacquiao on the outside. After the seventh round, he started to go more and more to the right hand and was landing the better shots.

Pacquiao, who was supposed to fight Errol Spence Jr. on this night, was philosophical after the loss.

“That’s boxing,” he said.

Pacquiao said he had difficulty moving the way he wanted. He didn’t look as quick or as flashy as he did during the bulk of his legendary career, when he became one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport and one of the most popular of his era.

Pacquiao, who may run for the presidency of the Philippines, said he wasn’t sure if he’d fight again.

“I need to relax and then make a decision,” he said.

He said he’d make a decision on a presidential run next month.

His future is clearly in politics at this point. He’s certainly not the fighter he was and though he would have beaten many fighters on this night, he wasn’t enough this time to beat the man who was standing in front of him.

Pacquiao fell to 62-8-2.

Pacquiao-Ugas live blog

Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas main card results

WBA welterweight championship: Yordenis Ugas def. Manny Pacquiao via unanimous decision (116-112 x 2, 115-113)

Welterweights: Robert Guerrero def. Victor Ortiz via unanimous decision (94-93 x 3)

WBC featherweight title eliminator: Mark Magsayo def. Julio Ceja via KO at 0:50 of R10

Featherweights: Carlos Castro def. Oscar Escandón via KO at 1:08 of R10

Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas preliminary card results

Featherweights: John Dato vs. Angel Contreras via unanimous decision (78-73, 77-74 x 2)

Lightweights: Mikel Clements def. Eliseo Villalobos via unanimous decision (40-36 x 3)

Super middleweights: Burley Brooks-Cameron Rivera ends in split draw (59-55, 56-58, 57-57).

Lightweights: Frank Martin def. Ryan Kielczweski by unanimous decision (100-90 x 3)

Heavyweights: Steven Torres def. Justin Rolfe via TKO at 2:33 of R1:

Lightweights: José Valenzuela def. Donte Strayhorn via TKO at 1:29 of R4:

More Pacquiao-Ugas coverage from Yahoo Sports:

• Here's how Pacquiao wants to be remembered

• Who is Pacquiao opponent Yordenis Ugas?

• Why Pacquiao couldn't say no to Ugas on short-notice

• Betting: How to bet on Pacquiao vs. Ugas