Pacquiao can still compete with elite fighters, could beat Ugas in a rematch, says Peñalosa

Retired two-division champion Gerry Peñalosa is convinced that Manny Pacquiao is still capable of beating top-tier pugilists even while in his 40s.

Pacquiao, 42, suffered a unanimous decision loss at the hands of WBA world welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas last month then hinted at retirement shortly after the fight.

“The good thing was he took the loss to Ugas as a challenge. I spoke to him after the fight and told him he was overtrained. He agreed, but did not want to talk about it,” Peñalosa told GMA News Online.

“I was scared while watching it live because he is a friend. After the bout, I realized that he can beat Ugas if he was in good condition. When it comes to his performance, it was good.”

It only took Pacquiao a few days to retract his initial hint of retirement, and if he is headed to the ring again, Peñalosa believes that the fighting Senator he can still hang with some of the best in the world and even defeat Ugas in a rematch.

“He can still compete with elite boxers. I want him to exit the sport coming off a win especially as a world champion,” he said.

“Knowing Manny Pacquiao, he knows what he is doing and he knows what his next move is. The way I see it he can really defeat Ugas."

—JMB, GMA News