LAS VEGAS – Switching opponents so close to a fight could’ve been tougher for Manny Pacquiao.

The Filipino legend explained during a press conference Wednesday that the change from facing a southpaw to a right-handed opponent was easier to handle than it would’ve been if he went from fighting an orthodox opponent to a left-handed boxer. Pacquiao, a southpaw himself, got in three days of sparring against right-handed boxers before he left the Los Angeles area Monday for Las Vegas.

Replacing injured southpaw Errol Spence Jr. on such short notice wasn’t all that difficult for Yordenis Ugas, either. Though Ugas was supposed to battle fellow right-hander Fabian Maidana on the Pacquiao-Spence undercard Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena, preparing for Pacquiao since early last week hasn’t been complicated because Ugas usually fares well with southpaws.

In fact, Ismael Salas, Ugas’ respected trainer, would prefer to match the Cuban-born Ugas against a southpaw than a right-handed opponent.

“If you look back, Pacquiao, yes, he’s coming [from] different angles,” Salas stated during a press conference Wednesday at MGM Grand Garden Arena. “Very nice, but Ugas as well. And also, Ugas is the master to fight with southpaws. So, let’s see who can see who. So, the worst punch in boxing is the one you can’t see. Let’s see.”

Pacquiao, even at 42 years old, obviously is better than Argentina’s Maidana (18-1, 13 KOs). It is worth noting, though, that Ugas is 3-0 versus southpaws since the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist moved up to the welterweight limit of 147 pounds from the 140-pound division in 2016.

“If you follow up Yordenis’ way of fighting, he’s better when he fights with the southpaws than right-handed [opponents],” Salas told a group of reporters following the aforementioned press conference. “So, of course, we need to do adjustments because Manny is a neutral southpaw. His front hand is so powerful. Then we need to apply all the things normal as [with] every southpaw. But he’s explosive. His power is so different.”

The 35-year-old Ugas has suffered one of his four professional defeats to a southpaw. Emanuel Robles, who was undefeated at that time, dropped Ugas in the sixth round and beat him by split decision in a 10-rounder that took place in February 2014 in San Diego.

Seven years later, an improved Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) is set to defend his WBA “super” welterweight title against the Philippines’ Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) in the main event of a FOX Sports Pay-Per-View show. This four-fight broadcast costs $74.95 and is set to begin at 9 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. PDT.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.