Home Boxing News Yordenis Ugás ready to spring the upset on Errol Spence Jr

Yordenis Ugás ready to spring the upset on Errol Spence Jr

Yordenis Ugas (centre) ahead of his fight against Errol Spence Jr. Photo credit: Amanda Westcott/Showtime

WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugás 27-4 (12) has laughed off claims from WBC and IBF counterpart Errol ‘The Truth’ Spence Jr 27-0 (21) that he will knock him out.

The duo will meet in a three-belt unification bout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday night.

The 35-year-old Ugás, originally from Cuba but now fighting out of Miami, Florida, claimed the WBA title from Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao 62-8-2 (39) last August after stepping in at short notice to replace Spence after the 31-year-old Texan southpaw suffered a tear to the retina in his left eye.

“I’m so excited for this fight,” Ugás said. “I have nothing but respect for Spence. He’s a great fighter and this is not only going to be a clash between us, but also between two of the greatest trainers in the world, so you’re not going to want to miss that either.

“Spence promises a knockout. I promise a win. Don’t miss it!

“I have a wise trainer [in Ismael Salas]. Somebody that has seen more boxing than most. But we have different opinions and I think that Spence is going to be one hundred percent. I prepared for the best Spence possible. That’s been my mindset throughout.

“People know my story by now. I came back from being 15-3 back in 2016 and ever since then, I have established myself as part of the elite in this division. If he’s the big fish, I belong in that same tank because I’m willing to swim with the big fishes whenever, wherever. I have been willing to do whatever it takes to get to where I am right now.

“I promise you blood, sweat and everything that I have to give for my country and for my fans. For everyone watching the pay-per-view, we’re going to put on a great show and you’re going to see the same Ugás that put his heart and soul into this sport that means so much to me.

“I’m a warrior. I’m a competitor. I’ve been facing adversity ever since I was six or seven years old. I’ve been fighting ever since I was a little kid. This is nothing new to me. It’s going to be a great night for me but no different than any other fight that I’ve had throughout my boxing career.”

Spence, who is having his first bout in 16 months, insists he is hungry for the win.

“It’s eat or get ate. That’s all it is on Saturday night. Eat or get ate. Of course, I’m going to win. But I’m going for the knockout. There’s nothing to elaborate on when I said I’m going for the knockout,” Spence said.

“It’s what I said. So if I get it, I get it. If I don’t, I don’t. I know one hundred percent I’m getting the victory, but I definitely want to knock him out.”

“Spence can say whatever he wants,” Ugás said. “I’ll fight the way I always do, exchanging blows and coming forward.

“I’m a competitor, I’m a warrior and I came to fight 12 rounds strong. That’s the most important thing of all. That alone should make Spence uneasy. I know I’m the underdog. I came here to win. I will fight whenever, wherever, in anybody’s backyard.”

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