Pacquiao getting WBA belt back?

MANILA, Philippines — When Manny Pacquiao returns to action against Errol Spence Jr. on Aug. 21 in Las Vegas, he will probably be introduced inside the ring as the WBA “super” welterweight champion.

This after WBA president Gilberto Mendoza said the boxing body is considering reinstating Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) as their “super” champion in the stacked 147-pound decision.

The WBA stripped the Filipino icon of the title – instead designating him as a “champion in recess” – due to inactivity.

Pacquiao became the WBA “super” welterweight champion when he defeated Keith Thurman in 2019, but he hasn’t defended the title since, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WBA promoted American Yordenis Ugas – who holds the regular version of the belt – to “super” status.

“Initially, the plan was for Ugas to fight Pacquiao,” Mendoza recently told ThaBoxingVoice.

But shortly after it was announced that Pacquiao will face Spence, MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons requested the WBA to reinstate Pacquiao.