Unified WBC and IBF champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and WBA champion Yordenis Ugás faced off at a final press conference on Thursday, two days before they meet in a welterweight title unification clash live on Showtime PPV at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
A confident Spence declared AT&T Stadium “my house” come Saturday and even predicted that if the fight is waged in close quarters, it likely won’t go the distance. Meanwhile, Ugás said he will lean on the resolve that has allowed him to overcome all manner of adversity in his life to power past Spence in the ring.
Errol Spence Jr: “If we get in the clinch and start fighting, I don’t think it’s going 12 rounds.”
Yordenis Ugas: “Spence promises a knockout. I promise a win.”
ERROL SPENCE JR.
“It’s going to be action-packed on Saturday night. I’m looking to put on a great show and a great performance in front of my hometown fans. I know Ugás is coming to fight. I know his coach has a great game plan, but come Saturday night, I’m putting on a great show and another great performance. I’m looking forward to adding the WBA belt to my titles so I have three belts. That means there’s just one more to go.
“When people say I can’t do this or I can’t do that, I prove them wrong every time. 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. Ugás 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.
“Everybody knows my motivation. I fight for my family, my friends, my city, the whole state of Texas. 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. The first ever to do it.
“This is my house. This is my hometown. I love the Dallas Cowboys to death. I love AT&T Stadium and I appreciate them giving me the hospitality and making this my home. Come Saturday night, I’m going to win another championship in the home of the Cowboys.”
YORDENIS UGAS
“I’m so excited for this fight. 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. 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.”
DERRICK JAMES, Spence’s Trainer
“Ugás’ trainer is looking for the same things I’m looking for on film. Salas is smart. He’s supposed to look for patterns and see what kind of shots the opponents’ throw. That’s what trainers are supposed to do. I’ll watch some of his fights; I watch enough. Just to pick up on tendencies and shots he throws and how he throws his punches so I can mimic them. And I’ll let Errol know that this is coming, or that is coming.
“Ugás’ biggest threat coming into this fight is what you can’t see. It’s his heart and his fortitude. It’s his desire to want to be great.
“We can go up to whatever weight he wants to go. We spar heavyweights on a consistent basis. Errol’s very physical as a fighter and he can fight up to 160, and maybe even higher. I’m not saying that’s what we’re going to do. He’d probably be comfortable with that because we are comfortable with being in there with bigger guys all the time.”
ISMAEL SALAS, Ugás’ Trainer
“This camp has been outstanding. We have been able to prepare in the best way for what is going to be a huge fight, and the biggest fight in the 147-pound division right now. We feel that the preparation that we have had, with no real adversity whatsoever, has been really great.
“Ugás is one hundred percent ready for this fight. Mentally we are very strong and we are prepared for any style. Every fighter has a different style and styles make fights. We are comfortable fighting a southpaw. Ugás showed and proved that he can already beat a southpaw in Manny Pacquiao.
“Spence is a warrior. We have two front-footed guys, but the one difference is that Ugás is more of a counter-puncher. Spence is physically amazing, and he’s strong mentally. But he’s never shown that he can move like Ugás.”
Your story from rags to riches, while inspirational, is not going to help you in this one, Yordenis. There are four ways to beat you, and Saturday will be number five; but I expect a good action packed fight, as Spence brings the action. IMO: it will be extremely tough for Ugas to beat Spence by decision in his hometown, and with 12 KO’s on his ledger; its highly unlikely he will stop Errol, unless he has plaster of paris in his mitts, or an egg weight.
Spence’s angles, timing, and counter punching will make the difference in this fight. Ugas really settles down as the fight progresses and gets flat-footed, stationery, and relies too much on his one-two combos rather than mixing it up to create good targets. Both men will be prepared, but Spence is on another level in my opinion. Spence knows Ugas is game, so he will be 100% prepared to make a statement in his hometown. Spence UD.
Scooby-Doo do you think he beats Crawford. ?
I personally think Crawford could beat Spence. How? Crawford is an exceptional counterpuncher with equal power in both hands. Crawford throws tight powerful counter hooks on the inside that can create problems for most fighters. Porter was systematically broken down by Crawford using short counter punches. Crawford on a UD. Yes, I will admit when I am wrong. This is all for fun.
I agree that will be fun to watch
This is NOT going to be an easy fight for Spence. Mark my words.
Good luck Ugas… go get him!
ES is promising a victory but most champions on the level do so they can sell the fight. Ugas already beat the pound 4 pound King Manny Pacquaio and this time I expect him to attack ES eye that is still questionable. Forcing a laceration from legal punches or swelling, Ugas to win my Round 11 TKO is my prediction.
C’mon now-Is there any doubt in anybodies mind that Ugas is not going to get his ass handed to him by Spence?
I got ugas winning by decision or late ko imo
Save for the knockdown, Spence vs. Shawn Porter was an even fight. Whereas, Ugas vs. Porter was basically an even fight also. I expect another close fight.
Spence will win by KO or TKO within three rounds. You heard it here first.
Ha!-I did not write this comment! I was hacked! I wrote the earlier comment about Spence handing Ugas his ass, but not this one. I do not think Spence will stop Ugas within 3 rounds. I believe he will win by late round stoppage or a clear unanimous decsion. Ugas is too tough and too skilled to be stopped within 3.
And i though i was the only troll predicting early stoppages. Hacked in 2!
Thats hilarious!!! Lucky for you, you’re the type to revisit the comment section throughout the day.
I wonder who was Ugas’s favourite fighter as a teen ? Probably Eubank Sr because he looks like him a bit ! It’s first time that Spence has to deal with a fighter as strong as him; wonder how this one goes.. Can’t wait to watch the fight somewhere because i’m not giving this much money for this show..
“This much money”? Regis, get a job pal. If you cannot afford less than $100, or parting with it will affect your livelihood, time to make some better choices my man. Send me your email. I’ll buy the stream for you under your email address so you can watch it. God bless and happy Easter.
I save my 100 $ and don’t worry about me getting a job.. Schitty card won’t pay a buck not because of the main event but because of the undercard..
Sad I didn’t read all your comment I would’ve sent you my email address lol !
Thank you Denis !
Ugas by close UD or Spence by late TKO that’s my prediction, you heard it first lol ! Just kidding don’t give a s…
Ugas in 2!
I’m rooting for Ugas in this one……..
Mark my words, Spence is going to lose this fight badly. No matter the lack of power from Ugas, he his way too strong physically and mentally. Boozzymcboozzerson, aka, Spence, is so frail I’m surprised he was able to flex following the weigh-in. This one is going to be hard to watch. Ouch.
Where are you Michael, if you weren’t lying 10k it hurts lol !
I’ve placed 10k on Ugas. Please come back to congratulate me tomorrow! 😉
ugas should aim 4 that eye, be relentless 1000 punches to the Eye..