Saturday night was a big test for Yordenis Ugas. After a big win over boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in 2021 to win the WBA welterweight title, “54 Milagros” was set to unify the titles against undefeated WBC and IBF titleholder Errol Spence Jr.
Ugas was able to hold his own during the opening rounds, using more of his distance. But Spence found more success in close range, mixing up his shots to the head and body. His most lethal weapon, at that point, was his uppercuts and hooks, which constantly landed on Ugas’ head.
By the sixth round, Ugas’ right eye was beginning to swell from the shots he absorbed.