It was a feel-good story but one that many didn’t believe would end well for Yordenis Ugas.
The Cuban native was going about his business and preparing to defend his WBA welterweight title in what appeared to be a tune-up fight against Fabian Maidana in 2021. But, out of nowhere, Manny Pacquiao gave him a call with an opportunity of a lifetime.
Errol Spence Jr., his original opponent, was forced to the sidelines thanks to a torn/detached retina. Without hesitation, Ugas (27-5, 12 KOs) accepted the main event slot and took Pacquiao up on his brazen offer.
The storyline was a simple one. Ugas was good but Pacquiao was great. But just when the future Hall of Famer was expected to take his man out, Ugas stepped up in a big way, winning a somewhat wide unanimous decision.
Ultimately, the smile that was plastered onto Ugas’ face was transient as Errol Spence Jr. would go on to stop him in the 10th round just a few months later.
It took the middle-aged veteran quite a bit of time to recover from his injuries. Having done so, he’ll officially return to the ring in the next few weeks on September 30th, against Mario Barrios.
Winning, of course, is number one on his agenda. But there’s a hidden goal that Ugas wants to prove. For those who believe he’s over the hill and past his best, he simply hopes that you tune in and watch him work.
“I do believe that I’m still one of the best welterweights in the world,” Ugas told FightHype.com. “I’m here to prove that.”
A win over Barrios would go on a long way toward showing that Ugas has more left in the tank. All in all, knocking off a few contenders is a good starting point, but the former WBA titlist has his eyes set on another championship run.
By and large, Ugas knows that a listless showing won’t place him in the title hunt. Considering that his first reign was truncated far earlier than he was expecting, Ugas doesn’t believe for a single second that he won’t regain his lofty status.
“I will become champion again.”
By Hans Themistode