As BoxingScene.com recently reported, the World Boxing Association ordered Yordenis Ugas and Abel Ramos to fight for the vacant "regular" belt as part of the decisions made at their annual convention.
For Ugás (25-4, 12 KO) this is a new opportunity to get his hands on a title after being denied the possibility of winning one in March 2019 after a losing a close twelve round decision against then World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Shawn Porter.
"I can't be happier with what the WBA has dictated," Ugás said to George Ebro. "After all this time looking for a belt, I think I'm finally getting justice. I know Ramos wants what I want too, but I'm already getting ready and the motivation is now double."
Ugás planned to face the WBA's "regular" champion, Alexander Besputin, but the Russian tested positive for a banned substance and the agency withdrew the title.
The Cuban boxer is hoping the bout will happen in the coming months. The negotiations will begin with the idea of staging the fight sometime in September.
The winner between Ugás and Ramos (26-3-2, 20 KO) must then face Radzhab Butaev (12-1, 9 KO), who lost to Besputin.
"I have been preparing for weeks at my teacher Ismael Salas' academy," Ugás revealed. "We're doing hard, hard work. Now with a recognizable opponent, let's further fine-tune the workouts to get there in the best possible way. I want that title for myself.
"It's exhilarating that there's something on the horizon and as important as a title within my division. I'm a warrior, I'm going in there with everything for that title.''
The winner of the WBA "regular" title would also inch a step closer to a clash with Manny Pacquiao, who holds the WBA's "super" title at welterweight.
"Everyone offers lists of names of potential opponents, but no one mentions Ugás," commented Salas to Ebro. "I can assure you that he is very feared and that he is better than many people think. Ugás is very complete and everyone knows them.''
