WORLD Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Yordenis Ugás welcomed a potential rematch with eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao in January, saying he would be better prepared for the fight.

Speaking to media in an online news conference on Friday, Ugás (27-4 win-loss record with 12 knockouts) said it would be an honor to fight the 42-year-old Pacquiao (67-8-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts) anew.
"[Manny] Pacquiao is a warrior, he is a true legend, and it will be an honor if I will face him again," the 35-year-old Ugás said through an interpreter.

The January fight, if it materializes, will be an entirely different fight, according to Ugás.

"I think the main differenxe is that if there will be a rematch, we will both have better preparations for the fight," he said. "That is really an important aspect—to project and prepare for the fight."

Pacquiao hinted of a rematch with Ugás, most probably in January, in an article published by theathletic.com on Thursday.

MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons confirmed Pacquiao's desire saying all the sitting Philippine senator needs is to ask Premier Boxing Champions big boss Al Haymon to call for the rematch.

In the same theathletic.com interview, Pacquiao admitted that he was fatigued although he stressed that "Ugás was the easiest opponent he ever faced in his entire professional boxing career" but cramps hounded him in the duel.
Pacquiao lost the 12-round title fight via unanimous decision at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas last Sunday. He said he could return to the ring by January because if he runs for president in May's general elections, the campaign will begin only in February.

Ugás spoke highly of Pacquiao in the same interview on Friday.  
"If this was the last fight for Pacquiao, I was honored because I think that Manny picked up a really good fight—not just to beat him, but to hurt him and show his value," Ugás said. "I'm not only happy that I won, but I'm happy with the quality of my performance."

Image courtesy of AP

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