Yordenis Ugas understands the prevailing public perception of his status as the WBA’s “super” welterweight champion.
The WBA elevated Ugas from its world 147-pound champion to its “super” champion late in January, when the besmirched sanctioning organization stripped Manny Pacquiao of that crown due to inactivity. Pacquiao objected, but the Filipino icon hadn’t fought since he edged previously undefeated Keith Thurman by split decision to win that title in July 2019.
Now, unfortunately at the expense of an injured Errol Spence Jr., Pacquiao and Ugas can settle this dispute in the ring August 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“What happened was … that I got elevated to being the champion in January,” Ugas said Wednesday during a virtual press conference. “And whoever wins on [August 21] will be the true WBA champion, no question about it.”
Cuba’s Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) became the WBA world 147-pound champion last September 6, when he beat Abel Ramos (27-4-2, 21 KOs) by split decision in a 12-rounder at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. He was considered a potential opponent for Spence (27-0, 21 KOs), the IBF and WBC champion, and Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) before Pacquiao and Spence agreed to fight each other August 21 in a FOX Sports Pay-Per-View main event.
Spence, 31, underwent surgery Wednesday in Dallas to repair a tear to his left retina that was detected during an extensive eye examination Monday required for licensure by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The 35-year-old Ugas was scheduled to square off against Argentina’s Fabian Maidana (18-1, 13 KOs) on the Pacquiao-Spence undercard, but he gladly stepped in for Spence.
The 42-year-old Pacquiao, who is a senator in the Philippines, offered a diplomatic answer when asked during Wednesday’s virtual press conference if it bothered him to be the challenger in a fight for a title that he feels he should still own.
“It’s happened this way, so this is good,” Pacquiao said. “I mean, I’m so excited for this championship fight. I don’t care if Ugas is the champion or I am the champion. Let’s finish this fight first and then we will see who is the title-holder.”
The WBA ridiculously recognizes four welterweight champions altogether.
Jamal James (27-1, 12 KOs), who has lost only a 10-round unanimous decision to Ugas, is its world champion. Vergil Ortiz Jr. (17-0, 17 KOs), who will encounter Egidijus Kavaliauskas (22-1-1, 18 KOs) on Saturday night in Frisco, Texas (DAZN), is its gold champion.
Gabriel Maestre (4-0, 3 KOs), who won an extremely controversial, 12-round unanimous decision over Mykal Fox (22-3, 5 KOs) on Saturday night in Minneapolis, is its interim champion.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
