Ismael Salas, Coach of Yordenis Ugas, Explains Spence’s Amateur Profile: “Did Spence Go to the Olympics? Yes, what did he do? Is not”
By: Hans Themistode
Errol Spence Jr has made the lonely long way into the ring a total of 27 times as a professional tennis player. Once he made his way through the noisy crowd and before the Dallas-born player swapped fists with his opponent, he waited patiently for his registration to be introduced by the announcer.
Normally, even if the announcer had previously acknowledged Spence Jr as the unified world champion, his 2012 Olympic achievement would be named first. Although the 32-year-old hasn’t been able to win a medal in the summer games, making the Olympic roster is a rare feat.
Maybe so, Ismael Salas, head coach of Yordenis Ugas, was unimpressed with Spence Jr.’s amateur record. As Salas continues to prepare for Ugas for his upcoming unity clash with Spence Jr on April 16 at AT&T Stadium, he believes the prominence of the united champion’s amateur background will end, especially when combined with Ugas’ achievements.
“Did Spence go to the Olympics? Yes,” Salas told a group of reporters. “What did he do? No. Ugas went to the Olympics? Yes. What did Ugas do? Bronze medal. Ugas was the Pan American Games Champion, the Amateur World Champion. Was Spence? No. “
On the whole, Salas was only partially correct. While he is correct in saying that Ugas is a Pan American champion and has won an Olympic bronze medal, doing so in 2008 games, Spence Jr’s amateur certification is being slightly undervalued. . Overall, Spence Jr. Three-time US National Champion. He is also the 2009 Golden Glove winner.
In addition to his amateur success, Spence Jr also started late in the sport of boxing. Officially, the current weight star got his first pair of gloves at the age of 15. On the other hand, Ugas started his boxing journey at the age of 6.
However, despite the age difference, both Ugas and Spence Jr have nearly identical amateur records. Ugas ended his stint in the unpaid division with a 122-12 record, while Spence Jr.’s amateur stint. ended after accumulating a record 135-12.
In the end, Salas didn’t depend on what Ugas achieved in his younger days to win on April 16. Having fought and beaten some of the best boxers that the Korean weight division has to offers, including the likes of Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter and Kell Brook – Salas concedes that Ugas’ amateur career won’t be of great importance on the night of the teamfight.
“This guy is tough,” said Spence Jr.’s Salas. “There is nothing to deprive him. Professional and amateur are not the same”.
