By: Sean Crose
Give this to Yordenis Ugas – the man with the guts. Surely he was finally defeated at the gloved hand of Errol Spence last night in Texas. He certainly lost the WBA championship as a result of that fight. Surely now people – not without justification – ask if he should retire. All of that is true, but it’s also true that Ugas continued to fight last night even after Spence suffered an orbital fracture in the 35-year-old’s right eye. Ugas even wanted to continue fighting after the ring doctor wisely halted the procedures in the tenth round.
“I have a broken bone in my eye,” Ugas posted on social media on Sunday, “and in the next few days the doctors will tell you how they will treat it. Last night I spent the whole morning in the hospital and I write these words with only one eye, the other still closed. But it is very important that I write it for you. Although Spence was the hometown boxer in Saturday’s bout at ATT&T Stadium in Dallas, Ugas was certainly not without his supporters. Furthermore, the Cuban immigrant’s failed attitude is likely to draw more admirers to him.
Although Spence was favored to defeat Ugas, those who watched the match closely knew that Spence’s victory was still far from guaranteed. After all, Ugas just defeated the legendary Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao may be in his forties, but his skills haven’t come to the point where he faced Ugas last year. Furthermore, Ugas is a veteran and accomplished boxer with Olympic pedigree. However, Spence simply became too strong for Ugas in the ring. Sure, Ugas had his moments, but he simply couldn’t do enough to stop Spence’s momentum. The Ring Doctor had full authority and responsibility to stop the proceedings when he did.
https://twitter.com/YordenisUgas/status/1515768418129129473/photo/1
Now, with Spence looking to have a super-fight that lasts too long with teammate Terence Crawford, Ugas has a chance to heal his wounds and think about the future. “I want to congratulate @errolspencejr,” Ugas wrote in his social media post, “a great champion.. and it was an honor to share the ring with him, he came as always. when, and in the final round, he caught my eye and things got even harder… the best man won from the ring. ”
Speak like a true fighter – just like a good sport.
