MANILA, Philippines – The camp of Manny Pacquiao did not not hide their disappointment over the decision of the World Boxing Association (WBA) not to reinstate the Filipino icon as its welterweight champion. Sean Gibbons, who heads Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, said they never received fair treatment from the WBA and felt blindsided the moment they stripped Pacquiao of the WBA “super” welterweight belt sometime last year. The WBA then designated Pacquiao as “champion in recess” due to inactivity and instead promoted its “regular” champion Cuban Yordenis Ugas to “super” status. “The WBA never warned us Manny’s Super Champion status could be in jeopardy. WBA president Gilberto Mendoza told @ChavaESPN that the regulations do not allow Manny Pacquiao to be reinstated as WBA super welterweight champion.

Source: Philippine Star July 13, 2021 00:22 UTC