Spence vs Ugas Preview
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas will play host to an important welterweight unification on Saturday April 16th. The fight will feature undefeated pound for pound great Errol Spence Jr. as he will be fighting Yordenis Ugas, for Ugas’ WBA “super” welterweight title. Spence will be defending his WBC and IBF welterweight titles.
Spence has not fought since December 2020 where he defended his belts against Danny Garcia winning by unanimous decision. The 32-year-old is 27-0 with 21 wins by knockout. He has held the IBF belt since 2017 and he won the WBC belt by split decision over Shawn Porter in 2019.
The champion is entering this fight with a high level of confidence. “Even half of me would beat most of these guys at the top level,” Spence said. “I feel great now and I’m one hundred percent.. Physically I’m on point and everything feels real regular. If Ugas’ trainer (Ismael Salas) thinks I’m a different fighter now, we’ll see (on fight night) how different I am.”
Spence was set up nicely to fight legend Manny Pacquiao as his next fight, that was until Ugas upset the hall of famer in August. But Spence is not overlooking his challenger on Saturday. “Ugas always comes to compete,” said Spence. “With all respect to Pacquiao, I’m a way different fighter than Pacquiao and at this point I’m a better fighter. Ugas is a real warrior, but I’m hungry, too. I’m not letting this opportunity pass by me.”
While many in the boxing world wait to see a unification bout between Spence and fellow pound for pound great WBO champion Terence Crawford, they expected Spence to take an easier fight. The champion does not want easy fights. “I can’t sit back and fight a tune-up fight right now,” Spence continues. “I want to go straight in with the sharks. Ugas is going to push me to another level and that’s what I want. I knew that if I was fighting a tune-up I could sneak snacks in at night and stuff like that. I’m fighting someone on my level.”
Aside from Garcia and Porter, Spence has key victories in his career over Mikey Garcia, Carlos Ocampo, Lamont Peterson, Kell Brook, Leonard Bundu and Chris Algieri. Claiming the WBA title might perhaps give the fans a long-awaited battle between Spence and Crawford, but Ugas will not be a walk in the park.
Ugas became a champion at 35 years old with his shocking upset by unanimous decision of Pacquiao. He previously challenged Porter for the WBC title in 2019 but lost by split decision. The Cuban champion does not mind being the underdog against Spence.
“I have been in plenty of situations plenty of times before like this where I’m the (underdog), Pacquiao being the most recent one, but at the same time, I know how to handle it and I can bring this fight along like I have before,” said Ugas. “I gained confidence after the Pacquiao win, I gained faith, and I knew once I stepped into the ring with Pacquiao, good things were going to happen. I have the same feeling good things will come my way when I get in the ring with Spence.”
Ugas went on to say about his opponent on Saturday, “Spence has an aggressive mentality where he’s always coming forward. He’s thinking of doing damage 100 percent of the time. I know how to deal with that. I know I am a better fighter than I was before the Pacquiao fight. I am filled with a lot more confidence. I have some new things to showcase because that’s the way I do things. Errol Spence is a very tough opponent, and I know that I’m going to have to be ready for anything he does.”
He believes he can shock the world again, “I’m leaving blood, sweat and tears on Saturday to win this,” Ugas said. “Something that pushes me every day is fighting for my people of Cuba. That motivates me day in and day out. I know that I’m fighting for something much bigger than myself, and it’s something I never take for granted. Errol Spence is fighting for Errol Spence. I’m fighting for a nation. Beating Pacquiao was a life-changing moment, and I have another champion in front of me to beat.
“I will shock the world again because I’m an experienced fighter that has history to back me up. I believe in my skills to shock the world once again. It helps knowing that I am a champion, I am a warrior who answers the bell to the toughest challenges. I’m ready for anything that comes my way. I’ve been fighting for my life ever since I was six years old. I started winning championships since I was 10. So, this is nothing new.”
Aside from Pacquiao, Ugas has key victories in his career over Omar Figueroa Jr and Thomas Dulorme. Spence will represent his toughest challenge to date and a victory would set up the 35-year-old nicely for a fight with Crawford who is waiting in the wings for either he or Spence.
