Errol Spence-Yordenis Ugas set for title unification bout

IBF/WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence took to his twitter early Tuesday to break the news boxing fans have anticipated for a while now and that is his return to the ring. Spence will look to unify his belts against Yodenis Ugas April 16 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas.

Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) and the Cuban-born Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) will fight for three of boxing’s four recognized welterweight titles. Ugas will make his first defense of the WBA “super” welterweight title he won when he upset Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision August 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Spence was Pacquiao’s original scheduled opponent; Spence’s fight with Manny Pacquiao was derailed after he underwent surgery to repair a detached retina. Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) stepped in on 11 days' notice and scored the upset of Pacquiao via unanimous decision. Now, Ugas will defend his WBA title in a three-belt unification.

Spence was cleared to return to trainer Derrick James’ gym in Dallas during the fall. He has healed entirely from the surgery. Spence has fought just once since he suffered minor injuries in a one-car accident that took place in October 2019 in downtown Dallas. The ultimate hope for boxing fans is that the winner of Spence vs Ugas will square off against Terrence Crawford.

A fight between the winner of Spence-Ugas and Crawford would crown an undisputed welterweight champion, but there remains a roadblock. Eimantas Stanionis stepped aside from his mandatory title shot against Ugas to allow him to fight Spence. Stanionsis will fight Radzhab Butaev on the undercard. Spence is rated No. 2 at 147 pounds by ESPN; Ugas is one spot behind. Terence Crawford, who holds the other welterweight title, is No. 1.