Errol Spence vs. Yordenis Ugas | Showtime PPV - April 16, 2022

[gregregegg]

I would be tempted to pick ugas points if I had faith in fair judging. Might change my picks on this based on weigh ins...

really hard to say who has more miles on the clock. Are people confedent ugass age is real? Because 35 with Cuban genes is fresh compared to 31 American driving cars into walls...

[Bandog]

I highly doubt if Spence will fight Ugas like he did Porter standing toe to toe. Tactical mistake on Spence's part. He'll use his jab to outbox Ugas to a clear decision win. If Ugas gets frustrated and reckless, he may get stopped.

Spence is a gym rat, disciplined, and will be ready. Don't buy in to the worry about the eye, the accident, etc. Some are drumming stuff up, hoping for an upset so they can say told you so.

[Cent0089]

Well, i am finally hyped. Looking forward to this. Btw, watched All acces, did Spence always speak like that ?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Well, i am finally hyped. Looking forward to this. Btw, watched All acces, did Spence always speak like that ?

Yes.. Look at his previous interviews.

[KiwiRider]

Well, i am finally hyped. Looking forward to this. Btw, watched All acces, did Spence always speak like that ?

Same here!
It's a really good card (hopefully)
Promoters should be rewarded for putting on interesting undercards like this one. And a pretty decent main event. Of course we all want to see Spence Vs Crawford, but Spence needs this tune up that he may or may not win- and I'm excited to find out!
Takes more than one main event on a PPV to get my money.
(are you reading this Fwankie?)

[DrDuke]

I highly doubt if Spence will fight Ugas like he did Porter standing toe to toe. Tactical mistake on Spence's part. He'll use his jab to outbox Ugas to a clear decision win. If Ugas gets frustrated and reckless, he may get stopped.

Spence is a gym rat, disciplined, and will be ready. Don't buy in to the worry about the eye, the accident, etc. Some are drumming stuff up, hoping for an upset so they can say told you so.

It's probably harder to box vs Ugas than to brawl vs him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Conference tomorrow

[Fightnight Scores]

Have tweeted about this. Spence vs Ugas and Fury vs Whyte the bookmakers put the odds very similar for both fights.

Tyson Fury - 2/9
Dillian Whyte - 4/1
Draw - 45/1

Errol Spence Jr - 2/9
Yordenis Ugas - 9/2
Draw - 22/1


Anyone else think these odds are a) too close for Fury/Whyte...and b) too winde for Spence/Ugas?

[gregregegg]

Have tweeted about this. Spence vs Ugas and Fury vs Whyte the bookmakers put the odds very similar for both fights.

Tyson Fury - 2/9
Dillian Whyte - 4/1
Draw - 45/1

Errol Spence Jr - 2/9
Yordenis Ugas - 9/2
Draw - 22/1


Anyone else think these odds are a) too close for Fury/Whyte...and b) too winde for Spence/Ugas?

Think ugas should be significantly closer than Whyte.

Also think the draw is paying too well on Whyte vs fury (seeing as it's UK and first 4 round headclash cuts are tech draws there)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Spence vs Ugas LIVE on FITE TV In The UK!

Errol Spence vs Yordenis Ugas’s 3-Belt Unification fight this Saturday will be live on FITETV in the UK, Germany, and Canada!

Spence Jr. vs s Ugas is taking place Saturday, April 16 live on SHOWTIME PPV in the US in a Premier Boxing Champions event from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

WBA Welterweight World Champion Yordenis Ugás showed off his skills at a media workout in Las Vegas as he nears his 147-pound title unification clash against WBC and IBF champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. taking place Saturday, April 16 live on SHOWTIME PPV in a Premier Boxing Champions event from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Just the 12th unification fight in the rich history of the welterweight division, Spence vs. Ugás will join other classic unification matchups at the weight class such as “Sugar” Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns I, and Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao. Ugás earned this opportunity in his most recent fight, successfully defending his title against future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao in August 2021.

Tickets for the April 16 live event at AT&T Stadium, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Man Down Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at SeatGeek.com, the Official Ticketing Provider of AT&T Stadium.

Ugás hosted media at the Salas Boxing Academy along with his trainer Ismael Salas, in an event that was live-streamed on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel and that can be watched in its entirety HERE.

Here is what Ugás and Salas had to say:

YORDENIS UGÁS

“I’m very thankful for everyone who has supported me. I’m extremely ready for this fight and to give the fans a great show on April 16. This has been a fantastic training camp and I can’t wait.

“I’m happy to be fighting in Spence’s backyard because they have great fans down there in Texas. It just adds extra motivation.

“We’ve had a great training camp here in Las Vegas with Ismael Salas. We always make sure that the hard work pays off. We’re going to be bringing our best into the ring.

“I was out of the ring for a long time, but when I came back and gave Jamal James the first loss of his career, I knew that I would be coming for big things. Everything changed for me that night and it’s all led up to this.

“The Pacquiao fight was a great night for me. After that fight, my life changed in even more ways. But I’ve always kept myself humble. I showed everyone who the WBA champion was. I have my eye on continuing to make history.

“Being an underdog means nothing to me. I was the underdog against Pacquiao and now again against Spence. I’ve always been the underdog and it doesn’t faze me.

“It’s an honor to be in the ring with Errol Spence Jr. We’re fighting for three belts, but even more important is fighting for honor and respect.

“Fans can expect me to fight like a warrior. I’m going to take all of my hard work into the ring on April 16.”

ISMAEL SALAS, Ugás’ Trainer

“I watched Errol Spence fight Shawn Porter and then I watched Errol Spence fight Danny Garcia, after Spence had his accident. It was not the same Errol Spence Jr. I do believe he lost something between the Porter and Garcia fights.

“Training camp has been great. We’ve had a long camp and now we’re in the period where Ugás is starting to make the adjustments that he’ll need to be ready for what Spence brings.

“I want to face the best Errol Spence Jr. because I want the fans to get a great show. This is one of the biggest fights of the year. If he’s in top condition, then Ugás is going to be ready to give him a hell of a fight.

“Yordenis came to us with three losses and since then we’ve been beating undefeated guys and going step by step up to this point of facing top fighters. Manny Pacquiao was the biggest fight of his career and Ugás beat him clearly. That was the same Pacquiao who had beat Keith Thurman in his previous fight.

“We need to absorb the punching power of Spence. Everyone knows he’s a front-footed fighter who throws bombs from start to finish. It’s no secret that we need to use Spence’s aggressiveness and make it work in our favor.

“It’s been a process for Ugás to get back to this point. He had to regain his confidence when he first joined our gym. We had to make a transition from the Cuban style and make him more aggressive. Yordenis Ugás is a master of the middle distance. He knows how to make you miss and make you pay.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Picks

Here’s how the experts see it: THE RING MAGAZINE/RINGTV.COM

DOUG FISCHER: SPENCE UD

I think it will be a competitive, high-speed chess match, with Spence being the aggressor and Ugas being the matador/counterpuncher. I think the Cuban’s style and reach will trouble Spence early, but I believe the Texan will work well from a distance via his hard southpaw jab and underrated defensive technique as he gradually closes ground and forces more exchanges. I think Ugas will hang with Spence in the trenches but will be outworked and outpointed over the second half of the fight (at least in the eyes of the official judges).

TOM GRAY: SPENCE UD

Ugas is a good fighter with solid fundamentals. It turns out that’s all he really needed to beat what was left of the legendary Pacquiao. That win and all the belts that are on the line have given this fight an air of quality that I’m not so sure it has. For me, Spence is a couple of levels above Ugas. I see him controlling the action from start to finish and having very little difficulty. Ugas might pick up a couple of rounds that Spence takes off, or he might benefit from a bit of judging charity.

ANSON WAINWRIGHT: SPENCE UD

This fight will tell us where Spence is and what he has left after two extended periods out of the ring. Ugas is a very steady fighter, nothing flashy but as Manny Pacquiao will attest a difficult puzzle to solve and if Spence isn’t at his best the Cuban may well cause the upset. We won’t realistically know how good Spence is until the opening bell. It figures to be a distance fight and while Ugas is more than good enough to give Spence some issues but I don’t think he’ll win. I think Spence wins 8 rounds to 4, which equates to 116-112 across the board.

LEE GROVES: SPENCE UD

For the second consecutive fight, Spence is facing down the after-effects of health issues as well as the longest layoff of his career, but, to his credit, he convincingly outpointed Danny Garcia following the car crash and he appears to be in tremendous cosmetic shape for the upcoming fight against Ugas, who deservedly shares this stage thanks to his signature points victory over Manny Pacquiao. Spence is bigger and stronger than Ugas at this weight, and, if he’s at his best, he’s probably quicker as well. Not only that, he’s a southpaw who is also capable of generating high work rate and excellent body punching. It also helps his cause greatly that he will be fighting in his home state inside AT&T Stadium, the site of his victories against Mikey Garcia and Danny Garcia. While Ugas is good enough to administer an even sterner test to Spence than Garcia did, I also think Spence will be in even better condition and will have what it takes to out-score the Cuban expatriate by unanimous decision.

MARTY MULCAHEY: SPENCE UD

While the Errol Spence-Yordenis Ugas has not gained a superfight feel yet, there is a lot to recommend it. I feel this could play out like Erislandy Lara’s disputed loss to Canelo Alvarez, where technical subtleties were not appreciated by the judges in favor of pressure and power punching. The three-inch reach advantage for Spence could play in his favor early, not allowing Ugas to establish his own as he did to dominate Pacquiao. The other factor is Spence’s obvious power advantage, and in a close fight a flash knockdown can make all the difference. My final reason for picking Spence is volume, while Ugas is fantastic off the back foot it only works when the opponent misses and gets countered consistently causing frustration. I just don’t see Spence missing at a high enough rate to give Ugas an advantage on the judges’ cards. Final pick is Spence by scores of 115-113 across the board.

MICHAEL MONTERO: SPENCE UD

Although Spence has been out of the ring for nearly a year-and-a-half, and only fought once since 2019, I just can’t bet against him here. I do believe Ugas will start well, but the Cuban’s lack of power will cost him down the stretch. Spence will knock off some ring rust, find his rhythm in the middle rounds, and control the action late. Give me “The Truth” on points, 116-112.

NORM FRAUENHEIM: SPENCE UD

There’s a lot to like about Yordenis Ugas. He’s thoughtful. He’s as graceful outside of the ring as he is within it. He praised Manny Pacquiao after his huge upset of the legendary Filipino. He’s willing to fight anybody anywhere He fought Pacquiao on short notice when Spence suffered an eye injury. Terence Crawford? No problem, he says. But sentiment doesn’t win fights. There are more reasons to pick Spence. He’s an inch taller, he has a three-inch advantage in reach and he’s about three years younger. He’s comfortable in an NFL arena near hometown DeSoto, Texas. This fight is a chance for Spence to prove, once and for all, that there are no lingering issues from his scary car crash in 2019. He’ll deliver that proof, “The Truth”, in a solid victory on all three cards.

DIEGO MORILLA: SPENCE UD

I’d say we’re much closer to seeing an upset than what most people think, but in the end logic (and speed) will prevail. Spence will have to adjust to Ugas’s rhythm, but once (and if) he does, it will be easy for him to take the initiative and win the championship rounds easily to score a unanimous decision win. In the meantime, I am sure we will see a much better boxing matchup than what everyone expects – and that’s a lot.

-----------------
BOXING INSIDERS

DUKE MCKENZIE (FORMER THREE-DIVISION TITLEHOLDER/TV ANALYST): SPENCE MD

This fight may not be as straight forward as some think for Spence, who was involved in a terrible car accident and had a detached retina injury. What kind of impact will that have on Spence, from a mindset and physical stand point? Can Spence be his usual classy self? If yes, we can expect a dominant display. However, Ugas can and has to make this fight ugly, which isn’t his usual style. By definition, he’s a stand-off counter-puncher, which we saw with good effect, pulling of a heroic win against all odds against Manny Pacquiao. Realistically I can see only one winner, Spence by majority decision.

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/COMMENTATOR): SPENCE PTS

I think it’s a tricky fight for Spence. Coming off the eye injury, while taking on a guy like Ugas, that is doing the best boxing of his career, who also happens to have a great chin. I think Spence wins a close decision.

RAUL MARQUEZ (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/COMMENTATOR): SPENCE PTS

Before the car wreck and eye surgery, I would have clearly picked Spence. Now I have doubts and questions but I still think Spence pulls out a close decision.

KATHY DUVA (PROMOTER, MAIN EVENTS): UGAS PTS

I’m going to go out on a limb and pick Ugas. He seems to have learned and improved over the course of his career. And he is full of confidence coming off of his win over Pacquiao. Spence is enormously talented too. And he will have the home field advantage, so to speak. But something just seems off about him in recent interviews. It will be a very competitive fight and likely come down to the judges. But I expect that Ugas will find a way to win.

JOLENE MIZZONE (MANAGER): SPENCE UD

As good as Ugas is, Spence is just a better boxer in my opinion. If you also look at Ugas record a lot of his fights where split decisions and that was going to be my original pick (Spence SD 12) but I think with the fight in Texas and a pro Spence ​crowd, I don’t think that will happen.

ERIC BOTTJER (MATCHMAKER): SPENCE UD

Errol Spence is a legitimately great talent. Is he a great fighter? Only Terence Crawford will answer that question (and I have the same opinion of Crawford – great talent. How great a fighter? We don’t know). Ugas is a superb operator, but a half-level below Spence in skill. Other than beating Pacquiao, Ugas’s best win as a dominant stoppage over Philadelphia’s Ray Robinson. Impressive, but nothing that will frighten a guy like Spence. Ugas’s victory over the 42-year-old Manny surprised boxing fans, but not insiders. Spence has seen various versions of Ugas (Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter and Mikey Garcia) and should win a minimum of eight rounds in taking a 12-round decision.

ROBERT DIAZ (MATCHMAKER, GOLDEN BOY): SPENCE UD

I must go with the talent on this one. Ugas will bring will and heart but in Spence he faces talent and​ skill above anyone he has faced. It will be a tough fight for both but after the ninth round I see Spence cruising to a unanimous decision win.

SHAWN PORTER (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION): SPENCE PTS

I think Errol is going to try to control the ring, I think Yordenis is going to try to fight Errol. I think if Yordenis doesn’t try to fight Errol, he won’t even come close to winning this fight. I think it’s going to take a lot for Yordenis Ugas. Yordenis is going to have to mix it up, box from the outside, use feints, use movement, draw Errol in. I think there’s a long list of things Yordenis Ugas has to do in order to pull off a win against Errol Spence Jr. I see Errol controlling the ring, controlling the action, not necessarily finishing every exchange on top but winning the rounds. I see Errol winning the fight by decision.

RUDY HERNANDEZ (TRAINER): SPENCE UD

Spence by close decision in a lackluster fight that will have many thinking Spence isn’t the tiger they thought he was. Ugas will be competitive and some rounds will be hard to call but the fan favorite will dig deep and pull out a hard-earned decision.

MARC RAMSAY (TRAINER): SPENCE UD

I don’t believe this will be fight of the year but it will be an interesting confrontation at a high skill level. Ugas has proven in the past that he can cause problems for any boxer and even create surprises on occasion which will surely give us a close fight but I still believe that Spence will do enough to get a unanimous decision.

ALEX STEEDMAN (COMMENTATOR): SPENCE PTS

I don’t believe Ugas belongs in the same room as Errol Spence in terms of natural ability but for a number of reasons this has the makings of a competitive fight. Partly because Spence has the lay off and the injury to overcome but also, it’s a good match up stylistically. Ugas is strong and brings energy and pressure while Spence is front foot aggressive for a southpaw. Spence is intelligent with it though; in range to attack but not quite to be hit. If Spence can push Ugas back, it’s an easier night for him but he’ll likely win a competitive fight by decision.

JOHN SCULLY (TRAINER): SPENCE UD

I think it’s a very interesting fight because I’m not 100 percent sold that Spence is back to full strength but assuming that he is, I think this might be the toughest fight of his career and will push him further than he’s ever been pushed to date. I think it’s a fight that is going to be hotly contested, every round and at the end of it, Spence will be the winner by a relatively close margin.

Final Tally: Spence 19-1

[tiny_acres]

Spence will have the hometown crowd behind him. He is a top PBC fighter who draws money.
If a round is even relatively close it goes to Spence in this fight
Spence will win a decision deservedly or not.

[KiwiRider]

Anyone else feel the importance of the weigh in on this fight?
It's been a while since Spence had to make this weight, and now he is 32.
Early thirties is when guys feel the struggle to make weight and tend to move up if they have been-like Spence - cutting a lot in the past.
I'm sure he has a good team of professionals around him, but he is a middleweight sized welter.

[gregregegg]

my betting site has gamboa as 9-1... seems juicey considering he would be cruzs best win. Obviosly cruz is favorite, but i didnt think a big one. definatly didnt think 9-1...

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Conference



The final Spence vs Ugas pre-fight press conference is held on Thursday, April 14. Live stream from AT&T Stadium – Main Club North starts at 2 pm ET / 11 am PT. Video is available up top.

[NateJR]

Spence seems really focused and looks to have gained some of his physical prowess back, that I felt he was missing in his return against Garcia. With that being said, I think it will be a close fight for the first 4 rounds or so, but Spence will eventually take over with smart aggression and simply out work Ugas and take over the second half of the fight.

[Enlightened-One]

Have tweeted about this. Spence vs Ugas and Fury vs Whyte the bookmakers put the odds very similar for both fights.

Tyson Fury - 2/9
Dillian Whyte - 4/1
Draw - 45/1

Errol Spence Jr - 2/9
Yordenis Ugas - 9/2
Draw - 22/1


Anyone else think these odds are a) too close for Fury/Whyte...and b) too winde for Spence/Ugas?

The odds are too wide for both fights.

Dillian and Yordenis will both be very live underdogs against the betting favourites they're facing.

Both of those guys are being underestimated.

[Fightnight Scores]

The odds are too wide for both fights.

Dillian and Yordenis will both be very live underdogs against the betting favourites they're facing.

Both of those guys are being underestimated.

I reckon Fury/Whtye isn't close and the odds are generous. But agree they are probably too wide for Spence/Ugas.

[Bandog]

The odds are too wide for both fights.

Dillian and Yordenis will both be very live underdogs against the betting favourites they're facing.

Both of those guys are being underestimated.

I reckon Fury/Whtye isn't close and the odds are generous. But agree they are probably too wide for Spence/Ugas.

I think both are about right. Fury should take care of Whyte, no problem. Spence will take care of Ugas, no problem.

One thing some miss is Spence's new dedication to the sport, being more disciplined between fights, and hiring a nutritionist for the first time. He had to lose almost 40lbs before the Danny Garcia fight, and spent more time cutting weight than he should have. Although questions remain, I think we'll see him show he is back, and will look like the Spence from a few years ago. His volume punching, being a southpaw, in his home town....the odds should be wider because no way he loses. I think he stops Ugas late.

[Cent0089]

Interesting nobody talks about how big Ugas is. Especially for a former 140lbs fighter. Spence is fkin huge welterweight and he looks smaller than Ugas

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Alguiffer]

Here is the full card weigh in, for Spence - Ugas jump to the 28:00 mark.

[Bandog]

146 1/4 for Spence, wow. Guess the nutritionist has paid off, and he looks great.

[margaret thatcher]

spence always looks absolutely ripped