AN ACCOMPLISHED CUBAN AMATEUR CHAMPION

A Cuban bronze medal winner in the 2008 Olympic Games, Yordenis Ugas began boxing at age six 6 as a way of coping with the poverty he endured as a youth. 

“I come from a humble family that had no roof over their head or anything,” said Ugas. “These are the things that toughen you up when you’re young and prepare you to become a boxer. These are the things that make you who you are in life.”

Ugas blossomed as an amateur, claiming victories over current and past professional champions Terence Crawford, Darlys Perez, Francisco Vargas, Khabib Allakverdiev, Jose Pedraza, Julius Indongo and Sadam Ali. 

“I have great memories of all of them. With ‘Bud’ Crawford, I beat him 27-10 in the 2007 Pan American Games. It was an awesome fight, but I always knew Crawford had greatness in him and a bright future in the sport. I fought and beat Darlys Perez four times, including in the Pan American Games,” said Ugas.

“I’ve beaten Francisco Vargas twice, in 2005 and in 2006. I beat Khabib [Allakverdiev] in the semifinals of the World Amateur Championships, 45-21, in 2005, and both Jose Pedraza and Sadam Ali in 2008. I know I won against Julius Indongo, also, but I don’t remember the score.”

ENDURING IN AMERICA

Nicknamed “54 Milagros" (Miracles), Ugas defected from Cuba in 2010, taking a circuitous route from Mexico to Miami, leaving behind his parents and several cousins, and turning pro as a Miami-based welterweight in 2010, going 5-0 with three knockouts over five months.

Ugas’ initial victories were comprised of a unanimous decision over Dino Dumonjic and a first-round of DeJuan Jackson (both in July), a second-round TKO Marqus Jackson (August), a 97-second TKO of Anthony Adams (September) and a unanimous decision over Anthony Woods (October).

Ugas was 11-0 with five knockouts and weighed 142 pounds entering his first loss by eight-round split-decision to then-unbeaten Johnny Garcia in March 2012. 

A 140-pound Ugas was 15-1 with seven stoppage victories in 2014 before losing consecutive split- and unanimous decisions to then-unbeaten fighters Emanuel Robles (February) and Amir Imam (May).

A disillusioned Ugas nearly hung up the gloves before returning 27 months later under legendary Cuban trainer Ismael Salas, who had worked with former lightweight champion Jorge Linares and former 130- and 135-pound title holder Rances Barthelemy.

“At that time, I was reflecting and organizing my life. I was thinking of the next step. The idea was always to return to the sport and to compete. Salas has a unique history of mentally and physically preparing Cuban boxers,” said Ugas, who moved to Las Vegas and returned as a welterweight under Salas.

“He gradually restored my willpower to regain my gym regimen and rhythm, suggesting the move to 147 was perfect, re-energizing me after having trouble making 140. The change of division was good. I changed the type of work I was doing. I changed trainers and made changes in my life is what made a difference.”

REBOUNDING WITH A VENGEANCE

The 33-year-old Ugas is now 10-1 with five knockouts in his past 11 fights while competing from 146 ½ -to-158 ½ pounds. 

Jamal James and southpaw Bryant Perrella were a combined 34-0 with 22 KOs in 2016 before falling to Ugas by unanimous decision and fourth-round stoppage in August and September respectively. 

The 6-foot-2 James entered at 20-0 as a late replacement for the 6-foot-1 Perrella, who had stopped 11 straight opponents but bowed out just days earlier with an injured left thumb. 

Ugas scored first- and final-round knockdowns against Perrella, a fight dedicated posthumously to Miami Marlins’ pitcher Jose Fernandez, a 24-year-old compatriot who was killed in a boating accident on September 25, 2016.

In 2017, Ugas sandwiched split- and unanimous decisions over Levan Ghvamichava (February) and title challenger Thomas Dulorme (August) around a second-round TKO of Nelson Lara (April).

“My ability to win on short notice scares fighters,” said Ugas, who accepted the Lara fight on Monday, April 24 at 2 p.m., replacing Mario Barrios against an overweight Lara at 154 pounds after a layover in Texas and arriving in Mississippi for their bout at 2:20 a.m. “I work hard in the gym and wake up ready to fight.”

Ugas took the Dulorme fight days before their clash on the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor undercard. 

“I can beat fighters who have a variety of styles under different circumstances. Against Dulorme, I got dropped as a pro for the first time in the seventh round but scored two second-round knockdowns and I won the fight. I replaced Shawn Porter against Dulorme on eight day’s notice. It was a great comeback on a big night,” said Ugas. 

“I fought Jamal James on a few day’s notice. James was a right-hander replacing Bryant Perrella, who was a southpaw. In both situations, I demonstrated that I have the mentality to overcome adversity. In those two fights, I provided evidence that I have power and confidence against southpaws, and I truly feel as if I am peaking and that I will be fighting at the height of my career.

AN ELITE WELTERWEIGHT

Ugas won three more times in 2018, a seventh-round TKO over left-hander Ray Robinson (February) in a 147-pound IBF eliminator, a four-knockdown second-round TKO of 164 ½ pound Jonathan Batista (June), and a unanimous decision over left-hander Cesar Miguel Barrionuevo (September).

“Robinson had a 13-fight winning streak, including eight knockouts, and he had never been stopped. I’m ready for anyone in the division,” said Ugas, who halted Batista on the undercard of a first-round stoppage by IBF champion Errol Spence over Carlos Ocampo. 

“I wanted that opportunity, really badly, to show Errol Spence that I was a worthy opponent to fight him. Jonathan Batista was someone who beat me as an amateur, so to be able to score four knockdowns in two rounds was a demonstration of my power.”

That set up a pair of sensational outings by Ugas – a disputed split-decision loss to then-WBC champion Shawn Porter (March 2019) and a near-shutout (119-107 three times) shellacking of previously unbeaten former title holder Omar Figueroa Jr. (July 2019).

Ugas was in his first-ever title shot against Porter, a two-time champion making his initial defense at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Ugas out-landed Porter, 57-34, in body blows while each landed 79 power shots, convincing one judge that he had won (117-111) with the others picking Porter, 116-112 and 115-113.

“Porter’s an aggressive fighter, but I’m a warrior as well. There’s no doubt about it, I was robbed tonight. After the first round I figured him out and dominated the fight,” said Ugas, who trailed, 144-128 in total punches and 65-49 in jabs. 

“He had no answer when I was pushing him back. I dominated the fight in my opinion. I showed tonight that I belong with the elite fighters at welterweight. All I can say is that I’m ready to fight any of the top names in the division. I’ll be back.”

Ugas then plowed through Figueroa, scoring a first-round knockdown, repeatedly driving the younger man backward, bludgeoning him to the head and body along the ropes and losing only a fifth-round point-deduction for holding. 

Ugas landed nearly all power punches against Figueroa in support of the Manny Pacquiao-Keith Thurman main event and a fight he said called “a big opportunity to derail an undefeated fighter,” to “get me right back into a world title fight,” and “to prove to the world that I’m one of the best welterweights in the division.” 

In his last fight, Ugas dominated nearly every round of a seventh-round stoppage of journeyman Mike Dallas Jr. on February 1 at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.

“I want to be as active as possible getting ready for a big fight but also, getting the exposure. I’m a fighter who has had to prove himself on national television in difficult fights and situations. I’m a two-time amateur world champion and Olympic bronze medalist,” said Ugas. 

“I’m a seasoned veteran who is more mature and focused than ever. I’m a fierce finisher and counter-attacker with solid defense and endless energy.  When I come, I come to fight. I like the adrenalin and I love putting on a show.”

Crowned King

On Sunday, September 6, 2020, Ugas finally realized his dreams. Headlining FOX PBC Fight Night on Sunday night, the Cuban looked splendid again, winning a 12-round split decision over the game Abel Ramos to capture the vacant "regular" WBC World Welterweight title. 

Judges Edward Hernandez Sr. and Zachary Young both had it a surprisingly close 115-113 each in favor of Ugas. Judge Lou Moret turned in an alarming 117-111 card for Ramos.

Ugas, 34, 26-4 (12 KOs) appeared to win at least eight rounds yet was never out of danger in there. Ramos’ power kept him in the fight from the opening bell to the final one. In the end, he wasn’t ever able to figure out Ugas’ jab which he began pumping out as early as the first. 

Ugas continued to work his stick in the second, closing the distance to get inside and work Ramos’ body. An overhand right in the third banged off Ramos’s jaw. Ugas appeared to be running away with the fight but with 30 seconds left in the frame, they traded hooks. Ramos’ landed flush, causing Ugas to briefly lose control of his legs. 

Ramos followed up, landing several power shots but Ugas held up and made it out of the round. He was back in the driver’s seat in the fourth, coming forward behind a high guard and a stiff jab, landing an assortment of blows behind it. 

Ramos (26-4-2, 20 KOs) struggled to find his rhythm. Round after round, he was forced to give ground, throwing little and landing even less. With his corner imploring him to pick up the pace, he let his hands go in the 10th, taking the fight to Ugas. He did so again, landing several hard shots and clearly winning the frame.

But Ugas would not be denied on this night, even though he stood and traded with the hard-punching Ramos in the final frame. 

Afterward, the new champion called out the other top fighters at 147, a list that includes Errol Spence Jr., Manny Pacquiao Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter (who Ugas lost to by close decision in March 2019), Keith Thurman, and Jamal James (who Ugas outpointed in 2016).

“I came into this fight in the best shape of my life and it showed,” said Ugas. “Now that I’m a world champion, I want all the big names in the welterweight division.”

CHAMPIONSHIP UNLOCKED

On September 6, 2020, Ugas realized his dream of becoming world champion. Headlining a Sunday edition of FOX PBC Fight Night, Ugas became the first Cuban to claim a 147-pound title since 1969, winning a spirited 12-round split decision over Abel Ramos to capture the vacant WBA World welterweight “regular” title.

It was a beautiful display as Ugas both outboxed and out-brawled the game Ramos. 

“I set a goal when I was a child back in Cuba to become a world champion and I accomplished that goal tonight,” said an elated Ugas. “I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me along the way. Ramos was a very tough opponent and I knew it was not going to be easy, but I wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip away.”

Judges Edward Hernandez Sr. and Zachary Young both had it surprisingly close at 115-113 each in favor of Ugas. Judge Lou Moret turned in an alarming 117-111 card for Ramos.

A WIN FOR THE AGES

In January 2021, Ugas was elevated to WBA Super World Welterweight Champion. Manny Pacquiao, who previously held that title was named Champion in Recess. Now the two will square off for that belt Saturday, August 21, 2021, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, live on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View.

“Fighting Manny Pacquiao is very significant to me. It means the world to me,” said Ugas. “I’m not fighting for the money, I’m fighting for my legacy, and for my country. This is the most important fight of my life."

It showed in the ring. In a career-defining fight, Ugas shone bright on the biggest of stages.

A boisterous crowd of 17,438 watched the underdog Ugas outbox and out-fight the great Manny Pacquiao to win a 12-round unanimous decision and retain his WBA Welterweight World title.

“I’m very excited but, most of all, I want to thank Manny Pacquiao for giving me this moment in the ring today,” Ugas said afterward. “I told you, I am the champion of the WBA and I showed it tonight.”

“I’m very emotional. A lot of people say Cubans can’t win the big fight. So, I’m very proud that I got this win for Cuba and showed what we are all about.”

Ugas used his size, strength and length to keep Pacquiao guessing, slowly wearing down boxing’s only eight-division champ to win in decisive fashion.

“He’s a legend, one of the greatest fighters that ever lived,” Ugas said of his opponent. “I’ll always respect him not only as a great fighter but outside the ring. I also admire that he fights for his country, as I do. I want to free Cuba.”

Ugas would suffer a setback in his next fight. On April 16, 2022, Spence would stop the great Cuban via 10th-round TKO at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, live on SHOWTIME pay-per-view. 

“I feel sad,” Ugás said. “I trained really hard for this fight. All my respect to Errol Spence. He’s a great champion. I’m just sad about what happened tonight. The referee stopped the fight, but I wanted to keep going to the end. I definitely had a chance to win the fight in the sixth round, but he recuperated well. Congratulations to him and his team.”

Ugás’ size and skill appeared to confound Spence early on. The Cuban Olympic bronze medalist hurt Spence with a right uppercut and a right hand that had Spence falling back into the ropes and sent his mouthpiece flying in the sixth. The referee interrupted the action with 1:32 left in the frame to allow trainer Derrick James to replace the mouthpiece. Following the break, Spence returned fire, banging to Ugás’ body to end the frame on a high note.

The referee again interrupted the action with 53 seconds left in the eighth to have the doctor examine Ugás’ right eye, which was nearly shut, the result of Spence timing Ugas with hard right hands. Spence jumped on him moments later, nailing Ugás (27-5, 12 KOs) to the body, sensing the end may be near.

Ugás appeared to hurt Spence to the body with a right hand in the ninth and again with a left to the body, for which he was warned by the referee for veering a little low.

Spence came back and hurt Ugás with a right to the body in the tenth that had him retreating, covering up, clearly in pain. The referee again had the doctor check on Ugas’ right eye, this time deciding he had sustained enough punishment. Ugas screamed in dismay, clearly wanting to continue, while Spence shouted to the rafters in pure joy and stomped his feet on the canvas.

The eye injury would sideline Ugas. He returned on September 30, 2023, dropping a 12-round unanimous decision to Mario Barrios on the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo Pay-Per-View from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.