Errol Spence Jr. vs Yordenis Ugas: Weigh-In, Final Press Conference and Final Workouts

By: Kirk Jackson

The time is here.

Saturday, April 16 will feature the likes of WBC and IBF world champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and WBA world champion Yordenis Ugás, as they engage in a welterweight title unification clash that headlines a SHOWTIME PPV event hosted at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and also features lightweight contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, who challenges former world champion, Olympic Gold medalist, Yuriorkis Gamboa in the 10-round co-main event.

The stacked card also includes unbeaten José Valenzuela, aiming to take out former world champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas, in a 10-round lightweight fight, plus unbeaten Cody Crowley faces veteran contender Josesito López in a 10-round duel of all-action welterweights that kick-starts the telecast.

Key Quotes from Errol Spence Jr.

“It’s going to be action-packed on Saturday night. I’m looking to put on a great show and a great performance in front of my hometown fans. I know Ugás is coming to fight. I know his coach has a great game plan, but come Saturday night, I’m putting on a great show and another great performance. I’m looking forward to adding the WBA belt to my titles so I have three belts. That means there’s just one more to go.”

“When people say I can’t do this or I can’t do that, I prove them wrong every time. I am the same guy I was before the accident and the injury. I feel like I’m better than that guy that fought Shawn Porter or Danny García.”

“This fight might not go the distance. Ugás is a tough fighter. He’s a guy that embraces the fight and wanting to go toe-to-toe. If he has to, he’ll do anything to win. I’m that type of guy. I’m the type of guy that if I have to go toe-to-toe, I will. If I have to stay there and fight, I will. If we get in the clinch and start fighting, I don’t think it’s going 12 rounds.”

“Everybody knows my motivation. I fight for my family, my friends, my city, the whole state of Texas. I want to be the three-belt unified champion of the world and I want to become the future undisputed welterweight champion of the world. The first ever to do it.”

“This is my house. This is my hometown. I love the Dallas Cowboys to death. I love AT&T Stadium and I appreciate them giving me the hospitality and making this my home. Come Saturday night, I’m going to win another championship in the home of the Cowboys.”

Key Quotes from YORDENIS UGAS

“I’m so excited for this fight. I have nothing but respect for Spence. He’s a great fighter and this is not only going to be a clash between us, but also between two of the greatest trainers in the world, so you’re not going to want to miss that either.”

“Spence promises a knockout. I promise a win. Don’t miss it!”

“I have a wise trainer. Somebody that has seen more boxing than most. But we have different opinions and I think that Spence is going to be one hundred percent. I prepared for the best Spence possible. That’s been my mindset throughout.”

“People know my story by now. I came back from being 15-3 back in 2016 and ever since then, I have established myself as part of the elite in this division. If he’s the big fish, I belong in that same tank because I’m willing to swim with the big fishes whenever, wherever. I have been willing to do whatever it takes to get to where I am right now.”

“I promise you blood, sweat, and everything that I have to give for my country and for my fans. For everyone watching the pay-per-view, we’re going to put on a great show and you’re going to see the same Ugás that put his heart and soul into this sport that means so much to me.”

“I’m a warrior. I’m a competitor. I’ve been facing adversity ever since I was six or seven years old. I’ve been fighting ever since I was a little kid. This is nothing new to me. It’s going to be a great night for me but no different than any other fight that I’ve had throughout my boxing career.”

Key Quotes from DERRICK JAMES – trainer of Spence

“Ugás’ trainer is looking for the same things I’m looking for on film. Salas is smart. He’s supposed to look for patterns and see what kind of shots the opponents’ throw. That’s what trainers are supposed to do. I’ll watch some of his fights; I watch enough. Just to pick up on tendencies and shots he throws and how he throws his punches so I can mimic them. And I’ll let Errol know that this is coming, or that is coming.”

“Ugás’ biggest threat coming into this fight is what you can’t see. It’s his heart and his fortitude. It’s his desire to want to be great.”

“We can go up to whatever weight he wants to go. We spar heavyweights on a consistent basis. Errol’s very physical as a fighter and he can fight up to 160, and maybe even higher. I’m not saying that’s what we’re going to do. He’d probably be comfortable with that because we are comfortable with being in there with bigger guys all the time.”

Key Quotes from ISMAEL SALAS – trainer of Ugás

“This camp has been outstanding. We have been able to prepare in the best way for what is going to be a huge fight, and the biggest fight in the 147-pound division right now. We feel that the preparation that we have had, with no real adversity whatsoever, has been really great.”

“Ugás is one hundred percent ready for this fight. Mentally we are very strong and we are prepared for any style. Every fighter has a different style and styles make fights. We are comfortable fighting a southpaw. Ugás showed and proved that he can already beat a southpaw in Manny Pacquiao.”

“Spence is a warrior. We have two front-footed guys, but the one difference is that Ugás is more of a counter-puncher. Spence is physically amazing, and he’s strong mentally. But he’s never shown that he can move like Ugás.”

FINAL RESULTS FROM WEIGH-IN:

WBC, WBA and IBF Welterweight World Championship Unification – 12 Rounds

Errol Spence Jr. – 146 ¼ lbs.

Yordenis Ugás – 146 ¾ lbs.

Referee: Laurence Cole; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), Glenn Feldman (Conn.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

Lightweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Isaac Cruz – 134 ¾ lbs.

Yuriorkis Gamboa – 134 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Mark Calo-oy; Judges: Javier Alvarez (Texas), Jesse Reyes (Texas), Jose Roberto Torres (P.R.)

Note: Cruz made weight on second attempt after initially coming in at 136 ½ lbs.

Lightweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Jose Valenzuela – 134 ¾ lbs.

Francisco Vargas – 134 ½ lbs.

Referee: Mark Calo-oy; Judges: Josef Mason (Colo.), Chris Migliore (Nev.), Jesse Reyes (Texas)

Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Cody Crowley – 144 ½ lbs.

Josesito Lopez – 146 ½ lbs.

Referee: Laurence Cole; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), Glenn Feldman (Conn.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

Preceding the pay-per-view will be a special edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, headlined by WBA (Regular) welterweight champion Radzhab Butaev and top contender Eimantas Stanionis.

The telecast begins prior to the pay-per-view event, starting live at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and also features undefeated Brandun Lee, who defends is unblemished record against Zachary Ochoa in a super lightweight bout.

FINAL RESULTS FROM WEIGH-IN:

WBA Welterweight Title Bout – 12 Rounds

Radzhab Butaev – 146 ½ lbs.

Eimantas Stanionis – 146 ½ lbs.

Referee: Rafael Ramos; Judges: Javier Alvarez (Texas), Robert Hoyle (Nev.), Jose Roberto Torres (P.R.)

Super Lightweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Brandun Lee – 142 ½ lbs.

Zachary Ochoa – 141 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Mark Calo-oy; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), Josef Mason (Colo.), Chris Migliore (Nev.)

Note: Contracted weight is 143 pounds

It’s almost showtime and spectators should have plenty of fistic excitement to digest this weekend.