By Keith Idec

Errol Spence Jr. doesn’t think Yordenis Ugas did quite enough to upset Shawn Porter three months ago.

Spence still feels Porter made a tactical mistake by attempting to out-box Ugas for much of their 12-round welterweight title fight. Had Porter employed his usual strategy against Ugas, Spence suspects it would’ve led to an easier victory for the WBC champion.

“I think it was a good fight,” Spence said during the most recent episode of “The PBC Podcast,” released Tuesday on premierboxingchampions.com. “I thought Ugas, if he would’ve been a little bit more active, he probably would’ve won that fight. You know, I think Shawn Porter’s game plan was to box. And I don’t think that comes natural to him, being a boxer. So, I think he kind of forced it a little bit and, you know, it almost turned into a loss for him. So, you know, I think he’s gonna change it up a little bit [against me].”

The Cuban-born Ugas beat Porter on the scorecard of judge Zachary Young (117-111), but he lost a split decision because judges Max DeLuca (115-113) and Steve Morrow (116-112) scored their fight for Porter on March 9 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Spence expects Porter (30-2-1, 17 KOs) to be more aggressive and physical when they meet than he was with Ugas (23-4, 11 KOs). They’ve signed contracts to square off in a welterweight title unification fight, but the date and venue for their FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event haven’t been announced.

“I really don’t think he has a choice but to be aggressive,” Spence said. “I mean, if he’s on his back foot, I don’t think, you know, it’s gonna turn out well for him.”

Smothering him won’t work, either, according to Spence (25-0, 21 KOs), who owns the IBF welterweight title.

“With me, I’m used to fighting guys coming forward, throwing a lot of punches, trying to overpower me,” Spence said. “So, you know, I think it’ll work out to my advantage if he tries that, or if he tries to box. I’ll just be ready for anything that he brings to the table.” 

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.