---
title: "Thurman Criticises Ugas Performance Against Errol Spence Jr: “A Cuban Punching Bag”"
canonical: "https://boxing-social.com/news/thurman-criticises-ugas-errol-spence-jr/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Shaun Brown"
section: "News"
published: "2022-07-04T12:09:42Z"
modified: "2022-07-04T12:15:40Z"
---

# Thurman Criticises Ugas Performance Against Errol Spence Jr: “A Cuban Punching Bag”

With Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford seemingly on the road towards an undisputed welterweight title clash those without belts are looking for a fight too.

One such contender is Keith Thurman. The former WBA Welterweight champion had hoped to return this summer to build on the momentum gained [from his win over Mario Barrios](https://wp.boxing-social.com/news/thurman-back-in-welterweight-mix-with-barrios-win/) in February. The 33-year-old is now looking at an October date and hasn’t ruled out a fight against Yordenis Ugas, another former WBA title holder.

During a guest spot on the [Premier Boxing Champions podcast](https://www.premierboxingchampions.com/podcast) Thurman said:

> “I’m looking forward to hopefully this October date and still don’t have a legitimate name.”
>
> “I was supposed to get a few names so anybody who says this is Thurman’s next opponent it’s kind of a rumour. I was supposed to be given a list and go over it with my team and then making a decision. I look forward to getting the actual list of names for true potential opponents.”

With Thurman and Ugas chasing another world title opportunity a fight against one another could benefit them at this time in their careers. If Spence Jr and Crawford throw down later in the year it ties the titles up a bit longer leaving the chasing pack looking for a meaningful match-up.

Thurman went on to trash the performance of [Ugas against Spence Jr](https://wp.boxing-social.com/news/ugas-suffers-broken-orbital-bone-following-loss-to-spence-jr/) during their unification bout in April:

> “I hope more than a Cuban punching bag shows up to the fight.”
>
> “He let Spence get away with too much. It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Like I tell all my fighters in the gym offence wins fights, not defence.”

Thurman went on to talk about possibly facing Ugas himself:

> “Thurman vs Ugas that would give us another radar on the skill potential of what Keith Thurman may do if that fight manifests \[against Spence Jr\].”
>
> “I like that. I call those kind of fights a measuring stick. For that purpose, I think it’s a good fight.”