Errol Spence says the eye injury that prevented him from fighting Manny Pacquiao last August won’t be a factor when he meets Yordenis Ugas on Sunday [AEST] in a welterweight world title unification bout.
Spence will put his World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation titles on the line in the fight at AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys while Cuba’s Ugas defends his World Boxing Association belt.
Spence, a Texas native, will be fighting for the third time at the stadium in Arlington in suburban Dallas, and for the second time attempts to return from serious injury.
Watch Errol Spence Jr vs Yordenis Ugas LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sunday 17th April from 11am AEDT. ORDER NOW >
The 31-year-old was hospitalised for days and sidelined for months after a single car crash in October of 2019.
He returned to beat Danny Garcia on December 5, 2020 in an impressive display in Arlington.
But a fight with Philippine legend Pacquiao was in the works late last year when Spence had to undergo surgery to repair a detached retina suffered in training.
“The eye is stronger,” Spence said this week. “Nothing will happen unless it’s shot at or something.”
Spence said he’s motivated by those who suggest he can’t come back again.
“When people say I can’t do this or I can’t do that, I prove them wrong every time,” he said.
“I am the same guy I was before the accident and the injury. I feel like I’m better than that guy that fought Shawn Porter or Danny García.
“This fight might not go the distance,” added Spence, who brings a record of 27-0 with 21 knockouts to the bout.
“Ugas is a tough fighter. He’s a guy that embraces the fight and wanting to go toe-to-toe. If he has to, he’ll do anything to win. I’m that type of guy.
“I’m the type of guy that if I have to go toe-to-toe, I will. If I have to stay there and fight, I will. If we get in the clinch and start fighting, I don’t think it’s going 12 rounds.”
MORE: How horror crash sparked the needed change for Spence Jr.
Ugas, who stepped in at short notice and upset Pacquiao via unanimous decision, brings a record of 27-4 with 12 knockouts.
The 35-year-old Cuban said he has “nothing but respect” for the unbeaten 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,” he said. “Spence promises a knockout. I promise a win.”
The two fighters have a common opponent on their resumes. Spence beat Porter by split decision in a punishing September 2019 fight, Six months earlier Ugas dropped a controversial split decision to Porter.
The winner of the bout is in line for a shot at World Boxing Organisation champion Terence Crawford.
“That’s the only fight that’s supposed to happen,” Spence said.
“I want to be the three-belt unified champion of the world and I want to become the future undisputed welterweight champion of the world.”
FULL CARD
Errol Spence, Jr. (c) vs. Yordenis Ugas (c), welterweight unification
Isaac Cruz vs. Yuriokis Gamboa, lightweight
Jose Valenzuela vs. Francisco Vargas, lightweight
Cody Crowley vs. Josesito Lopez, welterweight
Eimantas Stanionis vs. Radzhab Butaev, welterweight
Brandun Lee vs. Zachary Ochoa, junior welterweight
TALE OF THE TAPE
SPENCE JR.
Record: 27-0, 21 KOs
Height: 1.77m
Weight: 66.5kg
Reach: 183cm
Age: 32
Stance: Southpaw
UGAS
Record: 27-4, 12 KOs
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 66.7кг
Reach: 175cm
Age: 35
Stance: Orthodox
HOW TO WATCH
You can watch Errol Spence Jr vs Yordenis Ugas LIVE on Main Event. It is available on Kayo & Foxtel. You can order the fight card here!
START TIME
The main card will begin at 9pm local time (11am AEST) with Spence Jr. and Ugas expected to make their ring walks at around 11.30pm local time (1.30pm AEST). Of course, that time could change depending on how long the earlier fights go for.
Watch Errol Spence Jr vs Yordenis Ugas LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sunday 17th April from 11am AEDT. ORDER NOW >
