[ad_1]
Errol ‘The Truth’ Spence Jr 27-0 (21) is expecting a tough fight from Yordenis ‘54 Milagros’ Ugas 27-4 (12) when they meet at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on April 16.
The 32-year-old WBC and IBF welterweight champion was supposed to face Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao 62-8-2 (39) in Las Vegas last August before being forced out of the fight after suffering an eye injury.
Miami-based Cuban Ugas, 35, stepped in to replace Spence and in an impressive display scored a breakthrough win on points over the then 42-year-old Pacquiao to claim the WBA 147-pound strap.
Spence believes he would have done even better against Pacquiao.
“This is going to be a great fight. Ugas always come to compete. With all respect to Pacquiao, I’m a far different fighter than Pacquiao, and at this point, I’m a better fighter,” Spence told Showtime.
“You keep bringing up Pacquiao, but that’s like Larry Holmes fighting [Muhammad] Ali [mismatch] or Terry Norris beating up Sugar Ray Leonard. Or [Marcos] Maidana beating up Erik Morales.
“Pacquiao is way past his prime. It was the passing of the torch to myself, but I missed the opportunity, so I’m just going to put on a great performance.
“Ugas is a real warrior, but I’m hungry too. I’m not letting this opportunity pass by me.
“I’m going to put on a great performance for my crowd.”
Spence has had a rough trot outside of the ring in recent years. Along with the eye injury, the Texan rolled his Ferrari at high speed just weeks after his split decision victory over Shawn Porter in September 2019. He was ejected from the vehicle and suffered facial injuries.
Spence has forced just once since, a unanimous decision victory over former world champion Danny Garcia in December 2020.
Trainer Derrick James holds Ugas in high regard and says this level of opponent is exactly what Spence needs.
“Fighters get better when they fight great opponents,” James said. “You’re going to see the best of Errol Spence Jr on April 16 because Ugas is going to bring it out of him.
“Errol is looking phenomenal in the gym, and he’s only getting better. We’re really looking forward to the challenge that Ugas will present.
“Yordenis Ugas deserves this fight. He’s proven it from his journey defecting to the US, to him coming back to the sport as a late replacement opponent and then fighting all the way back to become champion.
“The night he fought Pacquiao, I told Ugas that the stage was set for him and that he should go make the best of it. That’s exactly what he did, and now we’re here.”
If Spence is victorious, the boxing world will be clamouring for a long-awaited clash with undefeated WBO welterweight champion Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford 38-0 (29).
[ad_2]
Source link