Top welterweight contender Yordenis Ugas shared insights into his training camp and more as he prepares to take on Abel Ramos for the vacant WBA welterweight championship this Sunday on FOX from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
On his recent training camp:
“Training in Las Vegas at the Salas Boxing Academy with coach Ismael is a great time because he provides a championship atmosphere. The gym is filled with excellent fighters and the sparring I’ve gotten has been incredible. More importantly, Salas is a great teacher who knows exactly what is needed to improve my game. We got a lot done in this camp and you will see a more polished version of myself on fight night.”
On his matchup with Abel Ramos:
“Ramos is a very tough fighter who has a tremendous amount of heart, as shown in his last fight when he knocked out Perrella in the final seconds of that fight. This will be one of those fights that the fans will be talking about for many years because we are not going to be backing up. I’m expecting an all-out war.”
On his quest to become the first Cuban Welterweight World Champion in 45 years:
“If I’m not mistaken, there hasn’t been a Cuban welterweight world champion since Jose Napoles in 1975. It will be an honor to become the first Cuban welterweight world champion of this millennium, God willing I come out victorious. Becoming a world champion is a goal I set for myself when I first started boxing, and I’m not going to let it slip by this time around. My goal is to not leave the decision in the hands of the judges, so I’ll be going for the knockout.”
On the state of the welterweight division:
“Everyone knows the welterweight division is always loaded with the best fighters in boxing, and I consider myself as one of those guys. I feel I beat Shawn Porter, so I know I belong with the elite boxers at 147 pounds. I must get past Ramos first, then I’m coming for everyone.”
After the Porter fight no one with a belt will get in the ring with him again willingly
The proud, tough Cubano Ugas is hungry, and he is always hell on wheels for all opponents.
However, I would like to see him apply more constant pressure/offensive aggression in the late rounds because he has been outworked in previous big fights. His brief periods of inactivity has cost him razor thin fights.
I can’t wait to see if he has learned from his prior mistakes. Specifically, I will pay close attention to his conditioning and punch output in later rounds.
Ugas has all the tools and talent, no doubt about it. He’s no devastating puncher, but former champ Omar Figueroa can probable attest to this man’s punch!
But I concur, he’s been outworked and out hustled in big fights…….. He needs this win to get another title crack soon.
As for Ramos, way to pull out that gritty victory against Perella last time out! He definitely has that puncher’s chance…….. however, he doesn’t have the natural talent and athleticism Ugas has……… having said that, he is a seasoned fighter and a victory here wouldn’t be considered an upset.