MANNY PACQUIAO will be awarded a 'Champion for Life" belt by WBA despite having been STRIPPED off his title after losing to Yordenis Urgas.
After beating Keith Thurman, Pacquiao became the WBA's champion at welterweight in July 2019.
WBA will award Manny Pacquiao a 'Champion for Life" belt
The coronavirus pandemic left the Filipino icon behind and she was unable to make a comeback.
He was controversially stripped of his WBA belt for inactivity. Ugas was elevated to full champion from secondary 'Regular Champion'.
The WBC and IBF unified titles were then up for grabs with PacMan, 42.
The unbeaten American pulled out due to an eye injury. Ugas, 35, was already scheduled to appear on the undercard and replaced Spence with 11 days notice.
Pacquiao was able to win the belt back that he had never lost in the ring.
Rappler reports that Gilberto Mendoza, president of WBA, said that the boxing legend would be honored as 'Champion For Life' regardless the outcome.
Pacquiao lost 12 rounds to Pacquiao and was left hinting at his retirement.
He said that Manny Pacquiao might not fight again in the future at the post-fight press conference.
"I don't know. However, I am happy with my boxing achievements over the past decades.
"I contributed to a record, brought boxing to its peak, and most importantly, brought honour and glory to my country, the Filipino people."
