Yordenis Ugas Issues Final Warning To Errol Spence Jr. Ahead Of Unification Bout

KEY POINTS

Yordenis Ugas responds to Errol Spence's claims of knocking him out
Ugas stepped in for Spence in his super-fight with boxing icon Manny Pacquiao last year
Spence is slated to step in the ring for the first time since 2020

The reigning WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas has a tough task ahead of him when he faces WBC and IBF king Errol Spence in a title unification bout.

Ugas, a Cuban boxer who moved to the United States in 2010 to start his pro career, is not feeling the pressure of fighting another big-name performer in Spence and sent out a message to him.

“Spence can say whatever he wants. I’ll fight the way I always do, exchanging blows and coming forward. I’ve always been an underdog - six years ago and now, I’m used to it. Spence is the rightful favorite as a unified champion in his home city, but I came here to pull off the upset,” said Ugas as quoted by Boxing Scene.

The WBA welterweight champion’s comments come after Spence announced that he was going for the knockout in his first fight since his 2020 bout with Danny Garcia.

“Of course, I’m going to win. But I’m going for the knockout. There’s nothing to elaborate on when I (say that). It’s what I said. So, if I get it, I get it. If I don’t, I don’t. I know 100 percent I’m getting the victory, but I definitely want to knock him out,” Spence boldly declared as quoted by Bad Left Hook.

His link to the American can be traced back to when Ugas was given the opportunity to step between the ropes against Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao when Spence tore the retina in his left eye.

With just 11 days to prepare for the bout opposite Pacquiao, Ugas took full advantage of it and defeated the boxing legend by unanimous decision.

Ugas was originally supposed to face Eimantas Stanionis in a mandatory title defense, but the latter was willing to step aside to allow the unification bout to happen with Spence.

“Spence is a respectful fighter and we have nothing against each other outside of the ring, I’m just ready for action. I’m a competitor, I’m a warrior and I came to fight 12 rounds strong. That’s the most important thing of all,” Ugas mentioned.

The fight will happen this Saturday, April 16 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.