Unbeaten pound-for-pounder and WBC/ IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr attempts to add Yordenis Ugas’ WBA ‘super’ belt to his collection this weekend. So who prevails? Boxing Social’s intrepid band of writers and fortune tellers attempt to predict the outcome.
There’s something lingering when I think of Errol Spence post-crash. I can’t shake the feeling that he’s not the same fighter he was before the incident, and despite looking solid in his last outing against Danny Garcia, I wonder when he’ll get found wanting from a fitness or a sharpness perspective.
Ugas, on the other hand, has only improved. He’s gone from an awkward, fringe contender to champion, and he seems like he’s enjoying the trip. Beating Pacquiao was viewed as an upset – but was it really? Or did boxing’s continued love affair with the Senator render us biased?
Ugas possesses an awkward, deflective style, staying just out of range, picking his moments and stealing rounds. Trained by Ismael Salas, he’ll be fit and ready to dig in. Spence, if at 75 per cent of his peak, should have enough to put it on the Cuban WBA champion, throwing slick combinations, working the body, and pressuring enough to outwork and punish.
I like Spence to win via UD, but wouldn’t be surprised if Ugas gives him a fright midway. – Craig Scott
It’s a PBC welterweight fight between two of the top guys at 147lbs. If you feel you’ve seen this one before, you’d be right. Since 2016, there have been eight fights involving two of: Spence, Ugas, Pacquiao, Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia. With the exception of Spence-Garcia, all those bouts ended in either a close unanimous or split decision. This one won’t be any different, Spence via decision. – John A. MacDonald
Ugas’s counterpunching style presents a really interesting challenge for Spence. How the American has recovered, both physically & psychologically, from his latest health scare will certainly be under the microscope, especially with his latest admission that he is suffering with PTSD from that horrific car crash. I can see the first 6-8 rounds being a tight and cagey affair with Ugas keeping it close on the scorecards. Ultimately, however, Spence’s southpaw jab, high work rate, and exceptional body punching (not to mention an enthusiastic Texan crowd) should be enough break the Cuban’s rhythm and reward Spence with a unanimous decision. – Phil Rogers