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According to Yordenis Ugas, fate was undeniably on his side. After defying the odds and driving Manny Pacquiao into retirement following his upset victory, Ugas held on tight to his WBA crown. While he could have opted for a softer touch during his next outing to the ring, Ugas pointed a bold finger directly in the direction of Errol Spence Jr. and aimed to strip him of his WBC and IBF welterweight titles.
Though he had his moments, Ugas (27-5, 12 KOs) would eventually crack under Spence’s relentless pressure and pernicious knockout power. In the 10th, in particular, a persistent Spence poured into the combinations, forcing a stoppage in the corner on the advice of a ringside doctor. Shortly after his defeat, it was learned that the Cuban-born star suffered a fracture in his right orbital bone.
As the former Olympic bronze medalist begins his long road back, he hopes to return sometime in 2023.
“God willing, God willing,” Ugas said during an interview with ESNEWS. “Maybe next year.”
Ugas, despite being 36 years of age, is in no way, shape, or form interested in walking away from the sport of boxing. Rather, the former welterweight champion is eager to take on boxing’s elite.
After a particularly terrible run in 2014, Ugas took what he believes was a much-needed break. Once he returned roughly two years later, Ugas had wins in 12 of his next 13 fights, with the only blemish being him against Shawn Porter.
Outside of his most recent loss, however, Ugas believes his name should be considered among the best of the best. With his lofty position at welterweight seemingly solidified, the 36-year-old divulges that for his next outing, he’d love to face fighters he considers high level.
“Vergil (Ortiz), (Jaron) Ennis, (Keith) Thurman, all of them.”
