Yordenis Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) candidly admits that his victory over Manny Pacquiao changed his life.
Albeit a controversial one to some pundits, Ugas’ victory changed the landscape of the welterweight division.
That loss led to Pacquiao’s retirement, and that victory was parlayed by Ugas into today’s unification bout with Errol Spence.
Ugas is the WBA champion while Spence holds the WBC and IBF diadems.
UNDERDOG. Spence is heavily favored but Ugas doesn’t mind being pegged as the underdog. Again.
Can he pull off another upset victory?
Methinks not. Ugas got Pacquiao at the right time but still Pacman was able to keep it very competitive.
The same can hardly be said of Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) who at 32 is still at the peak of his powers.
Stylistically, Ugas is perfect for Spence. Ugas fights coming forward, which is quite uncharacteristic for a Cuban fighter.
But Spence is a very accurate counter-puncher and has knockout power in both hands.
It will be a good, competitive fight for the first half but look for Spence to take over midway, and dominate to win via decision.
NBA. My favorite NBA team, the Los Angeles Clippers are finally calling it a season, after they lost to the New Orleans Pelicans in a battle for the final playoff spot.
It was a very tough year for them as they missed Kawhi Leonard for the whole season, and Paul George for more than three months.
Still, all season long they showed toughness and true grit—qualities that endear them to their fans—as they have rallied time and again from huge double digit deficits to emerge victorious.
But yesterday’s game was too much to overcome as PG was out due to health protocols and Luke Kennard was also nursing an injury.
Well, there’s always next season.
LAST ROUNDS. Are on newly minted lawyers, Aliko Garganera, Louela T. Cabrillos and Karl Benedict Sayson. Congratulations and cheers!