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After confirming he subsequently underwent successful surgery on the torn bicep injury which had many questioning whether he’d be okay to fight Manny Pacquiao as a late-notice replacement last August, WBA champion Yordenis Ugas is putting the finishing touches to a training camp with unbeaten two-belt titlist Errol Spence Jr awaiting him next on April 16. Continue reading “After successful arm surgery, Ugas looks to produce another upset in Spence’s backyard”
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Could the welterweight matchup we’ve all longed for finally happen later this year, after all this time? Rightly, the two-belt titlist is focusing on Yordenis Ugas and his April 16 assignment, but he’s left the door open to a possible unification bout against WBO champion Terence Crawford.
Continue reading “I have to beat Ugas, then we’ll see: Spence Jr on possible Crawford unification bout”
Tune-ups are for those who feel unsure of themselves, he said. Well, after a 16-month absence packed with some rotten timing which saw him agonisingly miss out on the legacy bout all boxers crave, it has now been confirmed: unbeaten two-belt welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr will face Yordenis Ugas in a unification bout – it’s a busy month of boxing in April. Continue reading “Errol Spence Jr vs. Yordenis Ugas welterweight title unification clash set for April 16”
Keen to prove he’s learned from previous mistakes made against Manny Pacquiao in 2019, former unified world welterweight champion Keith Thurman has stressed he’ll produce a more active punching display vs. a bullish opponent in Mario Barrios this weekend. Barrios meanwhile, is unafraid to trade punches in what is expected to be an intense PPV main event. Continue reading “Thurman vows to produce increased workrate against bullish Barrios this weekend”
Having made the fourth defence of his European welterweight title on Saturday, the 33-year-old Russian (28-3-1, 16 KOs) wants a return to world level after defeats by Lamont Peterson and Egidijus Kavaliauskas on his last two US visits in big bouts. His trainer Carl Greaves and manager Neil Marsh emphasised that belief, after his emphatic showing this past weekend. Continue reading “After decimating Liam Taylor, David Avanesyan eyes Yordenis Ugas title fight”
Ahead of his latest world title attempt on November 20, two-time welterweight champion Shawn Porter (31-3-1, 17 KOs) described Terence Crawford as the pinnacle of opposition. Can he end a run of close yet losing decisions against the division’s elite, or will it be more of the same?
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Despite a competitive first-half showing, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao could have no complaints last Saturday as WBC welterweight titlist Yordenis Ugas eased past him with a UD victory (115-113, 116-112, 116-112), stepping up on short notice to retain his belt in style. Now, the legendary Filipino has stressed his desire for a rematch. Should he just retire? Continue reading “Rematch Yordenis Ugas or retire? Assessing the Manny Pacquiao predicament”
WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) will step up and replace an injured Errol Spence Jr against Manny Pacquiao in a legacy-defining fight on less than two weeks’ notice. Having discovered he had a torn retina during a pre-fight medical exam in Las Vegas yesterday, Spence flew back home today and will have surgery to repair the tear tomorrow. Continue reading “Errol Spence Jr suffers retinal eye tear, WBA champ Yordenis Ugas to fight Pacquiao”
Ahead of their welterweight title bout on August 21, WBC and IBF titlist Errol Spence Jr (27-0, 21 KOs) paid respect to his legendary opponent Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs), but also stressed the belief that he’ll still come out on top and assert himself as the world’s top boxer at 147lbs. Continue reading “Errol Spence Jr: Manny Pacquiao’s a rare breed, a bad man but 147 is my division”
After a 25-month layoff, former eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao will next face unbeaten WBC, IBF welterweight titlist Errol Spence Jr in a compelling battle this August with plenty up for grabs beyond the latter’s two belts.
Continue reading “Dare to be great: Manny Pacquiao vs Errol Spence Jr set for August 21”
A deal and terms on both sides were agreed for Terence Crawford to make his latest WBO welterweight world title defence against all-time great eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao on June 5 in an ESPN PPV from Saudi Arabia, but money expected by the Abu Dhabi government wasn’t issued by a specific deadline – according to Top Rank boss Bob Arum.
Continue reading “Bob Arum: Pacquiao-Crawford title bout fell through over money issues”
In the toughest test of his career so far, Vergil Ortiz Jr came through unscathed last weekend with a seventh-round TKO victory against former light welterweight title-holder Maurice Hooker before calling out WBO champion Terence Crawford ringside. Still only 22-years-old with a perfect 17-0 record, his flaws are being scrutinised – rather than his willingness to fight the best.
Continue reading “Vergil Ortiz Jr’s justified confidence needs to be championed, not rubbished”
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