Tag: Yordenis Ugas

Pound for pound: No. 9 Gennadiy Golovkin holds position, other top fighters getting busy

Pound for pound: Gennadiy Golovkin has stayed put on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list while other top fighters are getting busy.

Gennadiy Golovkin did more than enough in his knockout victory over Ryota Murata on Saturday to retain his spot on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list. Even at 40.

Triple-G, ranked No. 9 going into the middleweight title-unification bout in Japan, overcame some early challenges to break down and then stop Murata in the ninth round.

Is Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) good enough to beat Canelo Alvarez if they meet a third time in September? Who knows? What we do know, based on his performance against Murata, is that he remains a formidable fighter even if he’s a step slower than he was.

Thus, he remains at No. 9 on the list for the time being.

Of course, changes could be on tap as a number of pound-for-pounders are scheduled to see action in the coming weeks.

No. 5 Errol Spence Jr. and Honorable Mention Yordenis Ugas are set for a welterweight title-unification showdown this coming Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

And eight other ranked fighters have scheduled bouts the next two months: No. 2 Alvarez (Dmitry Bivol), No. 3 Naoya Inoue (HM Nonito Donaire), No. 6 Tyson Fury (Dillian Whyte), No. 10 Jermell Charlo (Brian Castano), No. 12 Gervonta Davis (Rolando Romero), No. 13 Jermall Charlo (Maciej Sulecki) and HM George Kambosos (Devin Haney).

Plus, a few others – including Oleksandr Usyk and Artur Beterbiev – are near deals to fight soon.

Here is what the list looks like at the moment:

BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Terence Crawford – No fight scheduled.
  2. Canelo Alvarez– Scheduled to challenge WBA light heavyweight titleholder Dmitry Bivol on May 7.
  3. Naoya Inoue – Scheduled to face Nonito Donaire in a bantamweight title-unification rematch on June 7 in Japan.
  4. Oleksandr Usyk – In talks to defend his heavyweight titles against Anthony Joshua in a rematch.
  5. Errol Spence Jr. – Scheduled to face Yordenis Ugas in a welterweight title-unification bout on April 16 in Arlington, Texas.
  6. Tyson Fury– Scheduled to defend his heavyweight title against Dillian Whyte on April 23 in London.
  7. Vasiliy Lomachenko – Career on hold because of the war in Ukraine.
  8. Juan Francisco Estrada – No fight scheduled.
  9. Gennadiy Golovkin – No fight scheduled but expected to face Canelo Alvarez a third time in September.
  10. Jermell Charlo – Scheduled to face Brian Castano for the undisputed junior middleweight championship on May 14 in Carson, California.
  11. Artur Beterbiev – In talks to face Joe Smith Jr. in a light heavyweight title-unification fight on June 18 in New York but no deal is in place.
  12. Gervonta Davis – Scheduled to face Rolando Romero on May 28 in Brookly, New York.
  13. Jermall Charlo – Scheduled to defend his middleweight title against Maciej Sulecki on June 18 in Houston.
  14. Kazuto Ioka – The WBO has ordered a rematch between Ioka and Donnie Nietes for Ioka’s junior bantamweight belt but no deal is in place.
  15. Josh Taylor – No fight scheduled.

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Mairis Briedis (no fight scheduled); Nonito Donaire (scheduled to face Naoya Inoue on June 7); George Kambosos (scheduled to defend his lightweight titles against Devin Haney on June 5); Teofimo Lopez (no fight scheduled); and Yordenis Ugas (scheduled to face Errol Spence Jr. on April 16).

Pound for pound: No. 9 Gennadiy Golovkin holds position, other top fighters getting busy

Pound for pound: Gennadiy Golovkin has stayed put on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list while other top fighters are getting busy.

Gennadiy Golovkin did more than enough in his knockout victory over Ryota Murata on Saturday to retain his spot on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list. Even at 40.

Triple-G, ranked No. 9 going into the middleweight title-unification bout in Japan, overcame some early challenges to break down and then stop Murata in the ninth round.

Is Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) good enough to beat Canelo Alvarez if they meet a third time in September? Who knows? What we do know, based on his performance against Murata, is that he remains a formidable fighter even if he’s a step slower than he was.

Thus, he remains at No. 9 on the list for the time being.

Of course, changes could be on tap as a number of pound-for-pounders are scheduled to see action in the coming weeks.

No. 5 Errol Spence Jr. and Honorable Mention Yordenis Ugas are set for a welterweight title-unification showdown this coming Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

And eight other ranked fighters have scheduled bouts the next two months: No. 2 Alvarez (Dmitry Bivol), No. 3 Naoya Inoue (HM Nonito Donaire), No. 6 Tyson Fury (Dillian Whyte), No. 10 Jermell Charlo (Brian Castano), No. 12 Gervonta Davis (Rolando Romero), No. 13 Jermall Charlo (Maciej Sulecki) and HM George Kambosos (Devin Haney).

Plus, a few others – including Oleksandr Usyk and Artur Beterbiev – are near deals to fight soon.

Here is what the list looks like at the moment:

BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Terence Crawford – No fight scheduled.
  2. Canelo Alvarez– Scheduled to challenge WBA light heavyweight titleholder Dmitry Bivol on May 7.
  3. Naoya Inoue – Scheduled to face Nonito Donaire in a bantamweight title-unification rematch on June 7 in Japan.
  4. Oleksandr Usyk – In talks to defend his heavyweight titles against Anthony Joshua in a rematch.
  5. Errol Spence Jr. – Scheduled to face Yordenis Ugas in a welterweight title-unification bout on April 16 in Arlington, Texas.
  6. Tyson Fury– Scheduled to defend his heavyweight title against Dillian Whyte on April 23 in London.
  7. Vasiliy Lomachenko – Career on hold because of the war in Ukraine.
  8. Juan Francisco Estrada – No fight scheduled.
  9. Gennadiy Golovkin – No fight scheduled but expected to face Canelo Alvarez a third time in September.
  10. Jermell Charlo – Scheduled to face Brian Castano for the undisputed junior middleweight championship on May 14 in Carson, California.
  11. Artur Beterbiev – In talks to face Joe Smith Jr. in a light heavyweight title-unification fight on June 18 in New York but no deal is in place.
  12. Gervonta Davis – Scheduled to face Rolando Romero on May 28 in Brookly, New York.
  13. Jermall Charlo – Scheduled to defend his middleweight title against Maciej Sulecki on June 18 in Houston.
  14. Kazuto Ioka – The WBO has ordered a rematch between Ioka and Donnie Nietes for Ioka’s junior bantamweight belt but no deal is in place.
  15. Josh Taylor – No fight scheduled.

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Mairis Briedis (no fight scheduled); Nonito Donaire (scheduled to face Naoya Inoue on June 7); George Kambosos (scheduled to defend his lightweight titles against Devin Haney on June 5); Teofimo Lopez (no fight scheduled); and Yordenis Ugas (scheduled to face Errol Spence Jr. on April 16).

Fight Week: Errol Spence Jr., Yordenis Ugas set for Saturday showdown

Fight Week: Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas are set for their 147-pound title-unification showdown Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

FIGHT WEEK

Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas will fight to unify three of the four major welterweight titles on pay-per-view Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

Errol Spence Jr. (27-0, 21 KOs) vs. Yordenis Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, April 16
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Welterweight (147 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: Spence’s IBF and WBC, and Ugas’ WBA titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: Spence No. 5, Ugas Honorable Mention
  • Odds: Spence 4½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Radzhab Butaev vs. Eimantas Stanionis, welterweights; Isaac Cruz vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa, lightweights; Brandun Lee vs. Zachary Ochoa, junior welterweights; Jose Valenzuela vs. Francisco Vargas, lightweights; Cody Crowley vs. Josesito Lopez, welterweights
  • Prediction: Spence UD
  • Background: Spence and Ugas will unify three of the four major welterweight titles barring a draw or other unforeseen circumstances, leaving Terence Crawford (WBO) as the only other beltholder. Spence will be fighting for only the second time in 2½ years because of health issues, first the injuries he suffered in a one-car crash in October 2019 and later a detached retina. Spence defeated veteran Danny Garcia by a wide decision in between the health problems, in December 2020. Spence, one of the most-talented fighters in the world, has said he’s now healthy and eager to get back to business. Ugas, reared in the Cuban amateur system, has been one of the best 147-pounders since 2016 but became a force in the division when he defeated Manny Pacquiao by a unanimous decision to claim his title in August of last year, his most-recent fight. Ugas was a late replacement after Spence had to pull out because of the detached retina. Pacquiao, 42 when he lost his belt, subsequently retired. Ugas can become a true star with a victory on Saturday.

Conor Benn (20-0, 13 KOs) vs. Chris van Heerden (28-2-1, 12 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, April 16
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (7 p.m. in U.K.) (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Welterweight (147 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Benn 9½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Chris Billam-Smith vs. Tommy McCarthy, cruiserweights; Faroukh Kourbanov vs. Zelfa Barrett, junior lightweights
  • Prediction: Benn UD
  • Background: Benn is evolving into a legitimate welterweight contender. The 25-year-old son of Nigel Benn recorded three solid victories last year, stopping Samuel Vargas, outpointing Adrian Granados and brutally knocking out Chris Algieri. The Algieri fight took place four months ago. Benn, a Londoner, has speed, power and a formidable skill set. He just needs more experience at the highest level of the sport. He is ranked No. 5 by three of the four major sanctioning bodies. Van Heerden, a Los Angeles-based South African, is a solid opponent. The 34-year-old southpaw has lost only one fight since 2010, an eighth-round knockout against Errol Spence Jr. in 2015. However, he has beaten only second-tier opponents and hasn’t been particularly active. He was last in the ring in December 2020, when his fight with fast-rising contender Jaron Ennis lasted less than a full round because van Heerden was cut by a an accidental headbutt. The fight was ruled a no contest.

 

Also fighting this week:

THURSDAY

  • Ricardo Sonny Robledo vs. Michael Meyers, junior welterweights, Costa Mesa, California (FITE).

FRIDAY

  • Gavin Gwynne vs. Luke Willis, lightweights, London (ESPN+).
  • Ruben Villa vs. Horacio Garcia, featherweights, Ontario, California (Thompson Boxing YouTube and Facebook)

Fight Week: Errol Spence Jr., Yordenis Ugas set for Saturday showdown

Fight Week: Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas are set for their 147-pound title-unification showdown Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

FIGHT WEEK

Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas will fight to unify three of the four major welterweight titles on pay-per-view Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

Errol Spence Jr. (27-0, 21 KOs) vs. Yordenis Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, April 16
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Welterweight (147 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: Spence’s IBF and WBC, and Ugas’ WBA titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: Spence No. 5, Ugas Honorable Mention
  • Odds: Spence 4½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Radzhab Butaev vs. Eimantas Stanionis, welterweights; Isaac Cruz vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa, lightweights; Brandun Lee vs. Zachary Ochoa, junior welterweights; Jose Valenzuela vs. Francisco Vargas, lightweights; Cody Crowley vs. Josesito Lopez, welterweights
  • Prediction: Spence UD
  • Background: Spence and Ugas will unify three of the four major welterweight titles barring a draw or other unforeseen circumstances, leaving Terence Crawford (WBO) as the only other beltholder. Spence will be fighting for only the second time in 2½ years because of health issues, first the injuries he suffered in a one-car crash in October 2019 and later a detached retina. Spence defeated veteran Danny Garcia by a wide decision in between the health problems, in December 2020. Spence, one of the most-talented fighters in the world, has said he’s now healthy and eager to get back to business. Ugas, reared in the Cuban amateur system, has been one of the best 147-pounders since 2016 but became a force in the division when he defeated Manny Pacquiao by a unanimous decision to claim his title in August of last year, his most-recent fight. Ugas was a late replacement after Spence had to pull out because of the detached retina. Pacquiao, 42 when he lost his belt, subsequently retired. Ugas can become a true star with a victory on Saturday.

Conor Benn (20-0, 13 KOs) vs. Chris van Heerden (28-2-1, 12 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, April 16
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (7 p.m. in U.K.) (main event later in show)
  • Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Welterweight (147 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Benn 9½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Chris Billam-Smith vs. Tommy McCarthy, cruiserweights; Faroukh Kourbanov vs. Zelfa Barrett, junior lightweights
  • Prediction: Benn UD
  • Background: Benn is evolving into a legitimate welterweight contender. The 25-year-old son of Nigel Benn recorded three solid victories last year, stopping Samuel Vargas, outpointing Adrian Granados and brutally knocking out Chris Algieri. The Algieri fight took place four months ago. Benn, a Londoner, has speed, power and a formidable skill set. He just needs more experience at the highest level of the sport. He is ranked No. 5 by three of the four major sanctioning bodies. Van Heerden, a Los Angeles-based South African, is a solid opponent. The 34-year-old southpaw has lost only one fight since 2010, an eighth-round knockout against Errol Spence Jr. in 2015. However, he has beaten only second-tier opponents and hasn’t been particularly active. He was last in the ring in December 2020, when his fight with fast-rising contender Jaron Ennis lasted less than a full round because van Heerden was cut by a an accidental headbutt. The fight was ruled a no contest.

 

Also fighting this week:

THURSDAY

  • Ricardo Sonny Robledo vs. Michael Meyers, junior welterweights, Costa Mesa, California (FITE).

FRIDAY

  • Gavin Gwynne vs. Luke Willis, lightweights, London (ESPN+).
  • Ruben Villa vs. Horacio Garcia, featherweights, Ontario, California (Thompson Boxing YouTube and Facebook)

Felix Trinidad likes Yordenis Ugas’ chances against Errol Spence Jr.

Felix Trinidad likes Yordenis Ugas’ chances against Errol Spence Jr.

Yordenis Ugas is only the latest in a long line of successful boxers from the Caribbean.

The Cuban teamed up with one of the greatest of all time from the region – Felix “Tito” Trinidad – on Monday to promote his pay-per-view title-unification bout against Errol Spence Jr. on April 16 at AT&T Stadium outside Dallas.

“I remember watching Felix when I was a teenager and he fought against De La Hoya,” said Ugas, referring to the Puerto Rican’s majority-decision victory over his American rival in 1999. “Everyone in Cuba was talking about it. That fight really blew my mind. It was amazing to watch Felix go toe-to-toe with Oscar.

“To see Felix achieve something so incredible was a great inspiration.”

Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) has had his own big victories, the biggest coming when he stepped in on short notice to outpoint 42-year-old Manny Pacquiao and win the WBA welterweight belt last August.

Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) figures to be a stiffer challenge but Trinidad, for one, likes Ugas’ chances. He described how he believes the fight will play out:

“When I watched the Manny Pacquiao fight, I watched Ugas represent Cuba in an amazing way. I believe that Ugas can emulate what he did against Pacquiao in the fight against Spence. His speed and precision is going to wow the crowd in this fight.

“This is going to be a fight of a champion against a champion. When I fought De La Hoya, I knew that I had to go all out and couldn’t leave anything in the tank. I believe in Ugas, and he’s going to make us all proud.

“Errol is a rangy southpaw. Instead of trying to go up against their right hand, I’d let a southpaw throw their biggest shot and dodge it, so that I could deliver my most powerful shot. I’d tell Ugas to let Spence throw that left hand and dodge it.”

He went on:

“Ugas’ best attributes are similar to mine. It’s the conditioning and the mentality. He brings what he works on in training and uses it in the fight so well. He brings that preparation into the ring just like I used to. It makes me believe in him, and I know that he’s going to do well.

“I would tell Ugas to stay close and be on offense. Don’t let Spence come to you instead. Right jab and left uppercut is the combination that is going to work best for him.”

Trinidad obviously has a high opinion of Ugas. And Ugas believes in himself.

“I’m a competitor, I would have put my best foot forward in any decade,” he said. “I would have loved to fight Trinidad and the other fighters of his era. I could have won, I could have lost, but I would have loved to face those challenges.”

Felix Trinidad likes Yordenis Ugas’ chances against Errol Spence Jr.

Felix Trinidad likes Yordenis Ugas’ chances against Errol Spence Jr.

Yordenis Ugas is only the latest in a long line of successful boxers from the Caribbean.

The Cuban teamed up with one of the greatest of all time from the region – Felix “Tito” Trinidad – on Monday to promote his pay-per-view title-unification bout against Errol Spence Jr. on April 16 at AT&T Stadium outside Dallas.

“I remember watching Felix when I was a teenager and he fought against De La Hoya,” said Ugas, referring to the Puerto Rican’s majority-decision victory over his American rival in 1999. “Everyone in Cuba was talking about it. That fight really blew my mind. It was amazing to watch Felix go toe-to-toe with Oscar.

“To see Felix achieve something so incredible was a great inspiration.”

Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) has had his own big victories, the biggest coming when he stepped in on short notice to outpoint 42-year-old Manny Pacquiao and win the WBA welterweight belt last August.

Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) figures to be a stiffer challenge but Trinidad, for one, likes Ugas’ chances. He described how he believes the fight will play out:

“When I watched the Manny Pacquiao fight, I watched Ugas represent Cuba in an amazing way. I believe that Ugas can emulate what he did against Pacquiao in the fight against Spence. His speed and precision is going to wow the crowd in this fight.

“This is going to be a fight of a champion against a champion. When I fought De La Hoya, I knew that I had to go all out and couldn’t leave anything in the tank. I believe in Ugas, and he’s going to make us all proud.

“Errol is a rangy southpaw. Instead of trying to go up against their right hand, I’d let a southpaw throw their biggest shot and dodge it, so that I could deliver my most powerful shot. I’d tell Ugas to let Spence throw that left hand and dodge it.”

He went on:

“Ugas’ best attributes are similar to mine. It’s the conditioning and the mentality. He brings what he works on in training and uses it in the fight so well. He brings that preparation into the ring just like I used to. It makes me believe in him, and I know that he’s going to do well.

“I would tell Ugas to stay close and be on offense. Don’t let Spence come to you instead. Right jab and left uppercut is the combination that is going to work best for him.”

Trinidad obviously has a high opinion of Ugas. And Ugas believes in himself.

“I’m a competitor, I would have put my best foot forward in any decade,” he said. “I would have loved to fight Trinidad and the other fighters of his era. I could have won, I could have lost, but I would have loved to face those challenges.”

Yordenis Ugas insists he isn’t finished making history

Welterweight titleholder Yordenis Ugas insists that he isn’t finished making history.

Yordenis Ugas’ mission now is to prove that he’s more than just the guy who retired Manny Pacquiao.

The slick Cuban welterweight made history this past Aug. 21, when he handily outpointed the 42-year-old Filipino icon to win the first major title in his decade-long professional boxing career.

He faces a bigger challenge on April 16, the date of his pay-per-view title-unification showdown with Errol Spence Jr. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, just outside Spence’s hometown of Dallas.

Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) is about a 3½-1 favorite to beat Ugas (27-4-1, 12 KOs).

“Being an underdog means nothing to me,” Ugas said. “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.”

Of course, Ugas has had considerable respect for some time.

The 35-year-old cut his boxing teeth in the Cuban amateur system and won a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics, which means he’s well schooled.

He had a disastrous 2014, when he lost back-to-back decisions to then-prospect Emanuel Robles and future titleholder Amir Iman, and then left the sport for more than two years.

However, he bounced back in the summer of 2016 with a more-aggressive style and renewed determination, defeating then-unbeaten Jamal James by a wide decision to establish himself as a legitimate 147-pound contender.

He has won consistently since then, the only exception being a disputed split-decision setback against Shawn Porter in 2019.

Then, when Spence, Pacquiao’s original opponent, had to pull out of the fight because of a detached retina, Ugas happily stepped in and pulled off the upset.

“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,” Ugas said. “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.”

Yordenis Ugas insists he isn’t finished making history

Welterweight titleholder Yordenis Ugas insists that he isn’t finished making history.

Yordenis Ugas’ mission now is to prove that he’s more than just the guy who retired Manny Pacquiao.

The slick Cuban welterweight made history this past Aug. 21, when he handily outpointed the 42-year-old Filipino icon to win the first major title in his decade-long professional boxing career.

He faces a bigger challenge on April 16, the date of his pay-per-view title-unification showdown with Errol Spence Jr. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, just outside Spence’s hometown of Dallas.

Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) is about a 3½-1 favorite to beat Ugas (27-4-1, 12 KOs).

“Being an underdog means nothing to me,” Ugas said. “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.”

Of course, Ugas has had considerable respect for some time.

The 35-year-old cut his boxing teeth in the Cuban amateur system and won a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics, which means he’s well schooled.

He had a disastrous 2014, when he lost back-to-back decisions to then-prospect Emanuel Robles and future titleholder Amir Iman, and then left the sport for more than two years.

However, he bounced back in the summer of 2016 with a more-aggressive style and renewed determination, defeating then-unbeaten Jamal James by a wide decision to establish himself as a legitimate 147-pound contender.

He has won consistently since then, the only exception being a disputed split-decision setback against Shawn Porter in 2019.

Then, when Spence, Pacquiao’s original opponent, had to pull out of the fight because of a detached retina, Ugas happily stepped in and pulled off the upset.

“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,” Ugas said. “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.”

Errol Spence Jr.: Don’t dwell on the past, be grateful for the present

Errol Spence Jr.: Don’t dwell on the past and be grateful for the present.

We can speculate whether Errol Spence Jr. is or ever will be 100% of what he was before a horrific one-car crash in October 2019 and a subsequent detached retina, which has limited him to one fight in 2½ years.

If we believe Spence, though, we know that at least two positives have come from his disappointments: He’s more grateful for what he has and he’s never been more driven.

Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) is scheduled to face Yordenis Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) for three of the four major welterweight titles on pay-per-view April 16 at AT&T Stadium near Dallas, Spence’s hometown.

“I feel my focus is a lot better than before the crash and the eye injury,” he told Boxing Junkie. “I feel like that gave me a new sense of hunger. I just feel like before I won the world title, keeping that focus, that drive, being in the gym, working hard.

“Everything has been basically focused on boxing and my family. I feel 100%, especially mentally.”

Errol Spence Jr. defeated Danny Garcia in his only fight since his car accident in October 2019. Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

The car accident was well publicized. Spence flipped his speeding Ferrari and was thrown from the car yet somehow suffered only lacerations. He was later charged with drunken driving.

That kept him out of the ring until December 2020, when he defeated Danny Garcia by a wide decision at AT&T, the Dallas Cowboys home stadium in Arlington. Then he had to pull out of a scheduled fight with Manny Pacquiao because of the retinal injury, after which he was replaced by Ugas.

Spence was asked about the toll the setbacks took on him. His response was consistent with his easy-going personality: He was disappointed but tried to take his misfortune in stride.

“I’m a firm believer that stuff happens for a reason,” he said. “It’s how you react to it. There are cons to everything. There are pros, too. It just depends on how you take it. It was more rest for me. It got me back in the gym, focused, training hard.

“… Some people might be furious, angry. If you’re furious or angry, you still got the problem. You might as well change your perspective so it can be to your benefit.”

That said, the loss of the Pacquiao fight hurt. A victory over the Filipino legend would’ve been both defining and lucrative.

Instead, he could only watch as the talented Ugas outboxed 42-year-old Pacquiao to take his 147-pound title and send him into retirement last August in Las Vegas. Now his only option is to beat the man who beat the man.

“Yeah, I was disappointed,” he said. “I feel like basically that was aligned for me and I missed the opportunity. I couldn’t dwell on it, though. It happened for a reason. He won the fight and now I’m fighting the guy who beat Pacquiao.

“It’ll still come full circle for me. I’ll just to have to win in impressive fashion so that people will say, ‘If he would’ve fought Pacquiao, he would’ve destroyed him.”

It goes back to that take-it-as-it-comes attitude, the ability to make the best of a bad situation.

Spence would’ve liked to have fought more than once since the fall of 2019. He would’ve loved a chance to face an all-time great, Pacquiao. That didn’t happen. Instead, he insists he’s healthy and happy, he’s wealthy, he’s one of the most-respected fighters in the world and he’ll have a chance to strengthen his claim of being the best welterweight when he fights Ugas.

Not bad, huh?

“Some fighters – some people – don’t appreciate what they have until they almost lose it,” he said. “I definitely appreciate it more knowing that it can be taken away from you at any moment.”

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Errol Spence Jr.: Don’t dwell on the past, be grateful for the present

Errol Spence Jr.: Don’t dwell on the past and be grateful for the present.

We can speculate whether Errol Spence Jr. is or ever will be 100% of what he was before a horrific one-car crash in October 2019 and a subsequent detached retina, which has limited him to one fight in 2½ years.

If we believe Spence, though, we know that at least two positives have come from his disappointments: He’s more grateful for what he has and he’s never been more driven.

Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) is scheduled to face Yordenis Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) for three of the four major welterweight titles on pay-per-view April 16 at AT&T Stadium near Dallas, Spence’s hometown.

“I feel my focus is a lot better than before the crash and the eye injury,” he told Boxing Junkie. “I feel like that gave me a new sense of hunger. I just feel like before I won the world title, keeping that focus, that drive, being in the gym, working hard.

“Everything has been basically focused on boxing and my family. I feel 100%, especially mentally.”

Errol Spence Jr. defeated Danny Garcia in his only fight since his car accident in October 2019. Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

The car accident was well publicized. Spence flipped his speeding Ferrari and was thrown from the car yet somehow suffered only lacerations. He was later charged with drunken driving.

That kept him out of the ring until December 2020, when he defeated Danny Garcia by a wide decision at AT&T, the Dallas Cowboys home stadium in Arlington. Then he had to pull out of a scheduled fight with Manny Pacquiao because of the retinal injury, after which he was replaced by Ugas.

Spence was asked about the toll the setbacks took on him. His response was consistent with his easy-going personality: He was disappointed but tried to take his misfortune in stride.

“I’m a firm believer that stuff happens for a reason,” he said. “It’s how you react to it. There are cons to everything. There are pros, too. It just depends on how you take it. It was more rest for me. It got me back in the gym, focused, training hard.

“… Some people might be furious, angry. If you’re furious or angry, you still got the problem. You might as well change your perspective so it can be to your benefit.”

That said, the loss of the Pacquiao fight hurt. A victory over the Filipino legend would’ve been both defining and lucrative.

Instead, he could only watch as the talented Ugas outboxed 42-year-old Pacquiao to take his 147-pound title and send him into retirement last August in Las Vegas. Now his only option is to beat the man who beat the man.

“Yeah, I was disappointed,” he said. “I feel like basically that was aligned for me and I missed the opportunity. I couldn’t dwell on it, though. It happened for a reason. He won the fight and now I’m fighting the guy who beat Pacquiao.

“It’ll still come full circle for me. I’ll just to have to win in impressive fashion so that people will say, ‘If he would’ve fought Pacquiao, he would’ve destroyed him.”

It goes back to that take-it-as-it-comes attitude, the ability to make the best of a bad situation.

Spence would’ve liked to have fought more than once since the fall of 2019. He would’ve loved a chance to face an all-time great, Pacquiao. That didn’t happen. Instead, he insists he’s healthy and happy, he’s wealthy, he’s one of the most-respected fighters in the world and he’ll have a chance to strengthen his claim of being the best welterweight when he fights Ugas.

Not bad, huh?

“Some fighters – some people – don’t appreciate what they have until they almost lose it,” he said. “I definitely appreciate it more knowing that it can be taken away from you at any moment.”

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