By Jake Donovan
For all of his amateur accolades, Yordenis Ugas still insists there’s nothing in his career that can compare to the thought of becoming a world champion in the pro ranks.
The 32-year old welterweight—who represented Cuba in the 2008 Olympics and was part of the national team before defecting a year later—is now within one win from realizing that dream, as his first career title fight comes March 9 versus welterweight title claimant.
Their bout will air live on Fox from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., marking his first fight in the state since returning to the ring in 2016 following a two-year absence. His “first” career ended with a pair of losses, both taking place in Southern California, but only represents a part of the past which helped shape the contender he’s since become.
As much of thought of any success he’s previously achieved in getting to this point.
“100% this is the biggest fight of his career,” Ugas (23-3, 11KOs) emphatically stated during a recent media conference call to promote the event. “This is my first chance at a world title fight. Since the age of nine years old I've been boxing and this is what I've always dreamt of. So obviously this is the biggest fight of my career and I'm prepared.
“The Olympics are a huge thing too but that's for amateurs. That's in the past. Right now, winning this world title is the main focus for me. And nothing's bigger than that, not the Olympics or anything else right now.”
Ugas has won eight straight since relocating from Miami to Las Vegs upon his ring return to the ring in Aug. ’16. His improbable run began with an upset win over previously unbeaten prospect Jamal James, which he’s ridden all the way to a mandatory title shot. Such honors were earned in a 12-round nod over Argentina’s Cesar Barrionuevo last September, on the undercard of Porter’s vacant title winning effort over Danny Garcia in Brooklyn, New York.
The temperament of both fights didn’t necessarily create a demand for this pairing so much as the fight being ordered to take place. Ugas did what he had to do against a stinker opponent in getting to the title stage, and remains confident of the hundreds of amateur fights along with the good and bad in his pro career preparing him for this moment.
“I'm a competitor at the highest level,” notes Ugas, who won the 2005 World Amateur championship among his many accolades. “Whether, it's the amateurs or the pros now and I just know it. I know I'm prepared mentally. I know I'm prepared physically.
“But on March 9, I'm going to have the chance to show the world why I'm one of the best welterweights in the whole world and better than Shawn Porter. You'll see that on March 9 for yourself as well.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
