Manny Pacquiao is close to his last dance – don’t miss his next fight

We’ve recently seen ageing sporting legends abruptly exit their careers, and this could be one of the last times we see the legendary Filipino dazzle in the ring, writes Jack Rathborn

‘When that first bell sounds in the early hours of Sunday morning, be sure to appreciate the blur of red and the grin beneath that iconic facial hair’ (Getty)

Rarely has an athlete so consistently produced heaps of charisma, excellence and thrills as Manny Pacquiao. The legendary Filipino fighter is back in the ring this weekend when he faces the belligerent and opportunistic Yordenis Ugas. The Cuban, who captured bronze at Beijing 2008, has been propelled into the fight of his life thanks to the ill fortune of Errol Spence Jr.

The American’s eye injury scuppered perhaps the fight of the year between arguably the two best welterweights on the planet – though Terence Crawford, biding his time on the other side of boxing’s promotional street, would vehemently dispute that.

Regardless, Pacquiao’s relentless desire to dazzle in the ring is unique, lifting a nation while finding a place in the hearts of millions around the world. If the marvellous Floyd Mayweather Jr proved himself to be domineering over the last two decades, then Pacquiao emerged as the people’s champion due to his signature electric style as well as a hint of vulnerability – as brutally exposed by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.

That rare combination as an entertainer, and that’s what Pacquiao truly is first and foremost, should not be taken for granted either. Lionel Messi’s monumental presence at Camp Nou in blue and red stripes is now a thing of the past. And yet nobody expected his abrupt exit with so many bemoaning how they had spurned the chance to appreciate his greatness in the colours that have defined his magical career.

While the Argentine will continue to strut around the pitch in Paris, Pacquiao is far closer to the end and one last dance. The 42-year-old will probably hang on until Spence Jr recovers, should he emerge unscathed this weekend, with a new date likely in 2022. But that assumption rests on pugilism not delivering its often cruel ending, with the mirage of fighters ageing overnight.

Ugas, who was denied via split decision against former world champion Shawn Porter, may seize the day, as did Andy Ruiz Jr as a replacement to fight Anthony Joshua back in 2019.

That recent warning is why Pacquiao, who has retained his integrity in the sport, which gleefully discards its values for financial reward, must be treasured. Mayweather Jr’s greatness is indisputable but since the American outclassed Pacquiao in 2015, he has fought MMA superstar Conor McGregor, a Japanese kickboxer and YouTuber Logan Paul.

Pacquiao, instead, has accepted a number of daunting challenges, including former world champions Tim Bradley Jr and Keith Thurman. So when that first bell sounds in the early hours of Sunday morning, be sure to appreciate the blur of red and the grin beneath that iconic facial hair: Pacquiao truly is a one-off.

Yours,

Jack Rathborn

Assistant sports editor