Furious Manny Pacquiao’s team accuse WBA of stealing his world title after making him ‘champion in recess’
MANNY PACQUIAO’S team have furiously accused the WBA of stealing the star’s world title.
The WBA’s board of governors voted on the potential reinstatement of Pacquiao as their champ last week.
But they ultimately decided against it, with Yordenis Ugas keeping his status having been elevated from the WBA’s secondary ‘Regular’ champion.
The WBA in January announced PacMan, 42, was stripped due to inactivity, with Cuban Ugas, 34, upgraded.
When announcing his upcoming August 21 clash with Errol Spence Jr, the legend filed to be reinstated.
However, WBA chief Gilberto Mendoza has confirmed that will not be happening.
Now MP Promotions’ Sean Gibbons has released an angry tirade via a press release slamming them
It read: “I can tell you what Manny didn’t receive – DUE PROCESS AND RESPECT.
“It took two years to get the world title belt he earned inside the ring by beating the undefeated Super Champion Keith Thurman. Hell, Manny only received that belt on Saturday.
“The WBA never inquired about Manny’s title defense plans. The WBA never warned us Manny’s Super Champion status could be in jeopardy.
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“The WBA never informed us that Manny had been designated its Champion in Recess.
“We had to read the WBA’s press release on that on the internet.
“And speaking of Keith Thurman, the WBA had no concern about his lack of activity when he went over 22 months between title defenses (Danny Garcia on March 4, 2017, and Josesito Lopez on January 26, 2019). Recess is over.”
Gibbons added: “The two best fighters in the welterweight division are facing each other.
“It should be celebrated and properly recognized. The Ring is even blessing the winner as its welterweight champion.
“This is not a sanctioning group. It is a used car lot.
“Take my advice. Before paying the WBA a sanctioning fee, kick the tires and read the warranty. Perhaps their new slogan should be Caveat Emptor.”
Spence will put his WBC and IBF belts on the line against the Filipino icon in Las Vegas.
The Ring Magazine also voted to have their title on the line, despite usually having the vacant belt contested only between their top two ranked fighters.