Roaring Calls for Manny to Retire
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 23 Aug 2021
DAVAO CITY – Many are calling for the retirement of Sen. Manny Pacquiao from boxing after he lost to Yordenis Ugas of Cuba during the WBA Welterweight Championship boxing match at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada last Aug. 21.
“I called for his retirement even before he was knocked out by Manuel Marquez,” said Davao City veteran journalist Romeo Sabaldan.
“It was entirely his prerogative as a boxer. But today's stunning defeat seen worldwide was also a defeat of glorious Philippine boxing,” added Sabaldan.
Veteran sport editor Jun Migallen of SunStar Daily of Cebu City, on the other, said: “His Father time has finally come.”
Sports editor Lynde Salgados of SunStar Cagayan de Oro
“Peldi gyod. Still lot of punches, but no more sting and his mobility is lahi na gyod..h (sent with love effect) He looked haggard, maybe that's the effect of a battle-scarred 42yr old..”
Mindanao Times sports editor Jon Develos of Davao City: ”Talo talaga.”
Promoter Reynaldo Rodis of Manila: "Lack of focus. Too many things on his mind. Can't fight a World Championship and at the same time fighting for Presidency. Too much draining thoughts is bad when you're in boxing."
Promoter-manager-matchmaker Brico Santig of Dubai: "Si Manny Pacquiao di na bumalik iyong dating galaw nya, syempre tumatanda na sya."
Manager-matchmaker Art Monis of Manila: "Talo talaga, dapat mag retire na lang sayang kasi baka kong lalaban pa ng mga bata at magaling na boxer baka ma disgrasya pa. Nakakalongkot wag naman sana mangyari na ganon, wala siyang patutunayan. Sana mga naka paligid sa kanya yon na ang advice. Alam ko marami tayong mga Pilipino na nag mamahal sa kanya. Pera nya sobra sobra na. Sana sya nalang tutulong sa mga pilipino na boxers na may potentia."
Promoter Willie Neri of Davao City: “Bitaw nawala na iyang in and out lateral move, plus quick na suntok plus power.”
Matchmaker-coach Art Advincula of Gen. Santos City: “Sa dula pildi jud c Sen. Manny. Sayu nga na check ni Ugas c Manny tungod kataas og kadakuon ni Ugas."
Ring physician Rene Bonsubre of Cebu: "He is no longer the Pacquiao who beat all those future hall of famers....and he has nothing to prove anymore."
Trainer Jun Paderna of Dubai: "Medyo bumagal na talaga si Senator. Marami kase puede factors na tingan. Edad o yong matagal na pagka lay off bago makapag laro ulit".
Sportswriter Leonard Palo of Davao City: "Manny is no doubt one of the best professional boxers of this generation but maybe it's high time he thinks about finally hanging up his gloves for good. His fight with Ugas is proof that age plays a huge factor against a younger fighter whose taller and also quite skilled for an orthodox. Kailangan na nyang pag isipan ng mabuti kung lalaban pa ba sya uli one last time or just focus on his political career. He's still a strong fighter at 42 but against the younger class, maybe he's not as strong as he was years ago."
Journalist Fred Lumba of Gensan: "Decisions should have been majority draw. Nobody was down, neither fighter outshone nor outclassed the other. No clear advantage by either fighter was established."
Photo: Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee at the dressing room after Pacquiao's defeat to Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas on Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Wendell Alinea.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Lito delos Reyes.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026