SPORTS SHORTS 198: WHO IS YORDENIS UGAS? TBRB#4, BOXREC#5, RING#5, AND ESPN#6 WELTERWEIGHT FIGHTER (THIRD OF A SERIES
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 19 Aug 2021
Yordenis Ugas is ranked among the top ten welterweight fighters by the four major independent ranking bodies independent from the four alphabet boxing organizations.
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In the ESPN rankings, he is behind Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. which are tied at No. 1, Manny Pacquiao at No. 3, Shawn Porter at No. 4, Keith Thurman at No. 5, tied with Vergil Ortiz Jr. at No. 6, and he is ahead of Jaron Ennis at No. 8, Danny Garcia at No. 9, and Mikey Garcia at No. 10.
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Ugas is rated No. 5 by The Ring lower than No. 1 Spence, No. 2 Crawford, No. 3 Pacquiao, No. 4 Porter, and higher than No. 6 Danny Garcia, No. 7 Jaron Ennis, No. 8 Kudrstillo Abdukakhorov, No. 9 Ortiz Jr. and 10. Eimantas Stanionis.
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The Transnational Boxing Rankings Board placed the highest rank on Ugas so far at No. 4. He trails Spence (#1), Crawford (#2) and Porter (#3) while leading Ortiz and Danny Garcia who tied (#5), Ennis (#7), Mikey Garcia (#8), Abdukakhorov (#9) and Jamal James (#10).
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For the BoxRec welterweight rankings here are the top ten boxers with Ugas at No. 5:
1 Errol Spence Jr
2 Terence Crawford
3 Shawn Porter
4 Danny Garcia
5 Yordenis Ugas
6 Mikey Garcia
7 Kell Brook
8 Abel Ramos
9 Vergil Ortiz Jr
10 Josesito Lopez
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While Yordenis Ugas is the WBA Super welterweight champion, Manny Pacquiao is declared "WBA champion in recess" and is rated No. 3 welterweight by IBF under its champion Errol Spence Jr.
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According to Yahoo News, Ugas escaped the tyranny in his native Cuba, which is under Communist rule. He attempted to defect six times, and was caught every time and was sent to prison. He finally defected successfully in 2010 after winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
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“I’m a fighter not only inside of the ring, but outside of the ring I fight for the freedom of my people,” Ugas said. “That’s the most important thing to me. I hope everyone fighting for freedom in Cuba is safe and knows that I’ll be fighting for them on Saturday.”
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At BetMGM, Pacquiao is an overwhelming -375 favorite and his advantage is increasing, while Ugas is +295 underdog. But Ugas is self-assured that he will score an upset. Since getting the services of Ismael Salas as his chief trainer years ago, his career is on a surge.
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“I’m well aware that Pacquiao is the favorite,” Ugas said. “But at the same time, I’m a champion. Since I came back five years ago, I’ve overcome so much. I’ve faced so many strong opponents in order to get to where I am today. I have full confidence in myself and my ability to get a victory."
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He added that when he was not boxing, he was focused on his family and spending time with his son. He never thought he would be defending a title against Manny Pacquiao. But for him, the past five years he is one of "the most active and successful boxers" out there and declared he is ready to prove himself once again.
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For the past five years he scored ten victories since 2016, losing only to Shawn Porter by a controversial split decision.
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He won over American Abel Ramos by split decision to seize the vacant WBA (Regular) welterweight title on September 6, 2020 at the Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California to win the vacant WBA (Regular) welterweight title.
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Edward Hernandez Sr and Zachary Young scored it 115-113 for Ugas while Lou Moret had it 117-111 for Ramos.
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He defeated American Mike Dallas Jr.by 7th round TKO, American Omar Figueroa Jr. by unanimous decision, Argentinian Cesar Miguel Barrionuevo by unanimous decision, Dominican Republic's Jonathan Batista by 2nd round TKO, and American Ray Robinson by 7th round TKO.
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Ugas also triumphed over Puerto Rican Thomas Dulorme by unanimous decision, Nicaraguan Nelson Lara by 2nd round TKO, Georgian Levan Ghvamichava by split decision, American Bryant Perrella, by 4th round TKO, and American Jamal James by unanimous decision.
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During the fight press conference these are the words of Ugas:
"This has been a long road for me. Obviously, it is short notice that I learned I was fighting Pacquiao, but I’m thankful for the opportunity, and I’m ready to take advantage of it.
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“We made the adjustments we had to in the last two weeks so that I’m ready for Pacquiao. We’ve done everything we had to, and we’re 100% ready to go Saturday night.
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“There are no excuses heading into this fight. I’ve been in this position taking a short-notice fight before, although obviously never against a fighter the caliber of Pacquiao. I have no concerns, though, and I believe both of us are going to be prepared for this fight.
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“I’m certain that he cannot knock me out. I’ve done all the preparation over these past six years to get in this position, I’ve hit my stride, and I just don’t believe I can be stopped by Manny.
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“I have prepared for 12 hard rounds. If this is Pacquiao’s final fight, then he’s going to be up against a guy who brought his best and who is a world-class fighter.
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“I want to thank my whole team for this great opportunity. More than anything, I am a fighter who represents my country of Cuba. This fight is dedicated to all the people who are fighting for freedom in Cuba; I’m fighting for all of them," said Ugas.
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The NBA announced the Christmas Day schedule of games in addition to the two opening night games when the season opens on Oct. 19. The opening night of the 2021-22 schedule kicks off with an attractive double-header featuring the Brooklyn Nets at the reigning champs Milwaukee Bucks, followed by the Golden State Warriors at the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 19 at Staples Center.
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For the Christmas Day matchups, here is the full sked of the games:
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks -- 12 p.m. ET
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics -- 2:30 p.m. ET
Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors -- 5 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Brooklyn Nets -- 8 p.m. ET
Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks -- 10:30 p.m. ET
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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