Errol Spence Jr said he will join Terence Crawford after adding a third world title to his collection in the welterweight division.
‘The Truth’ thwarted Yordenis Ugas’ brave challenge in their unified 10th round at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
A crowd of nearly 40,000 watched Spence put on a non-stop performance of high intensity and defy the Doctor in the ring calling for the match to be halted due to Ugas’ damaged right eye.
Spence said in the build-up he was trying to win a knockout ticket and deliver one of the best performances of his career despite his horrific car accident in 2019. and had eye surgery last year.
It was surgery on a detached retina that forced Spence to bow his head in a match against Manny Pacquiao scheduled for August. Ugas stepped in to fill the void, defeating the Filipino legend who allowed him to book. his WBA title in Arlington.
The first two innings lasted for a thrilling six minutes with stabbing set-ups as well as spacing ensuring both men were never more than an arm’s length apart. A cross to the left by the WBC and IBF champion, followed by a body strike put him in the driver’s seat in round 3. Ugas, with his tight defense, worked but stepped out. Spence to the right. Fight.
Ugas targeted the body on the 5th round after the quiet 4th round but was quickly cut off with his left hand giving Spence increased pressure and intensity. Ugas returned fire with an uppercut and ended the round strong.
The round took place in the 6th round. A right hand placed Spence under space, Ugas heated up as soon as the American mouth flew out of his mouth. Calling it a ‘rookie mistake’ then Spence looked around for his kit believing referee Laurence Cole would intervene.
Defending yourself at all times was the rule and Ugas jumped at the error of nailing Spence with a number of shots that put the hosts in real trouble. Oddly, the underling briefly shut down the machine leaving Spence trapped, who was later purchased for a time when Cole paused the fight to allow for a new mouthguard to be fitted.
Two left hands in game 7 hurt Ugas clearly. Spence felt energized and knew he couldn’t make any more mistakes. He increased his output and kept hitting Ugas, whose right eye was severely swollen.
The ringside Doctor is asked to check for damage in season 8 as Spence goes from head to body and back again. Ugas was defeated and had a bit of a defeat in this match.
Spence also started 9th strong. Victory is in the air, and it looks like a problem if not when.
Ugas was starting to get caught behind the guard, his defense languishing at Spence’s dynamic and brutal display. Ugas suffered bodily harm again and then in the 10th part was tagged by an upper cut forcing him to fall back. Referee Cole intervened to check his eyes.
Ugas knew what was coming and tried to convince the doctor that he was okay but after checking the fight was right at 1.44.
Spence’s shoulders are now on the shoulders of championships. WBA currently belongs to the 32-year-old tennis player along with WBC and IBF. One more title left to collect and that is WBO within reach of freelance agent Terence Crawford.
“Everybody knows what I want,” the winner told Showtime’s Jim Gray after the battle.
“I want the next Terence Crawford. That’s the fight I want. I came to get that damn belt! ”
Crawford tweeted during the fight and congratulated Spence on his victory. “Now the real fight happens,” he added. “No more talking, no more by the roadside. Let’s go.”
Spence v Crawford is now a must for boxing. And it is fitting that this modern superfight, at a stage that seems in danger of slipping away, will claim the undisputed weight class title.
