Fight Week: Errol Spence Jr., Yordenis Ugas set for Saturday showdown

FIGHT WEEK

Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas will fight to unify three of the four major welterweight titles on pay-per-view Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

Errol Spence Jr. (27-0, 21 KOs) vs. Yordenis Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs)

When: Saturday, April 16 Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show) Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas TV/Stream: Pay-per-view Division: Welterweight (147 pounds) Rounds: 12 At stake: Spence’s IBF and WBC, and Ugas’ WBA titles Pound-for-pound ranking: Spence No. 5, Ugas Honorable Mention Odds: Spence 4½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets) Also on the card: Radzhab Butaev vs. Eimantas Stanionis, welterweights; Isaac Cruz vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa, lightweights; Brandun Lee vs. Zachary Ochoa, junior welterweights; Jose Valenzuela vs. Francisco Vargas, lightweights; Cody Crowley vs. Josesito Lopez, welterweights Prediction: Spence UD Background: Spence and Ugas will unify three of the four major welterweight titles barring a draw or other unforeseen circumstances, leaving Terence Crawford (WBO) as the only other beltholder. Spence will be fighting for only the second time in 2½ years because of health issues, first the injuries he suffered in a one-car crash in October 2019 and later a detached retina. Spence defeated veteran Danny Garcia by a wide decision in between the health problems, in December 2020. Spence, one of the most-talented fighters in the world, has said he’s now healthy and eager to get back to business. Ugas, reared in the Cuban amateur system, has been one of the best 147-pounders since 2016 but became a force in the division when he defeated Manny Pacquiao by a unanimous decision to claim his title in August of last year, his most-recent fight. Ugas was a late replacement after Spence had to pull out because of the detached retina. Pacquiao, 42 when he lost his belt, subsequently retired. Ugas can become a true star with a victory on Saturday.

Conor Benn (20-0, 13 KOs) vs. Chris van Heerden (28-2-1, 12 KOs)

When: Saturday, April 16 Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (7 p.m. in U.K.) (main event later in show) Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England TV/Stream: DAZN Division: Welterweight (147 pounds) Rounds: 12 At stake: No major titles Pound-for-pound ranking: None Odds: Benn 9½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets) Also on the card: Chris Billam-Smith vs. Tommy McCarthy, cruiserweights; Faroukh Kourbanov vs. Zelfa Barrett, junior lightweights Prediction: Benn UD Background: Benn is evolving into a legitimate welterweight contender. The 25-year-old son of Nigel Benn recorded three solid victories last year, stopping Samuel Vargas, outpointing Adrian Granados and brutally knocking out Chris Algieri. The Algieri fight took place four months ago. Benn, a Londoner, has speed, power and a formidable skill set. He just needs more experience at the highest level of the sport. He is ranked No. 5 by three of the four major sanctioning bodies. Van Heerden, a Los Angeles-based South African, is a solid opponent. The 34-year-old southpaw has lost only one fight since 2010, an eighth-round knockout against Errol Spence Jr. in 2015. However, he has beaten only second-tier opponents and hasn’t been particularly active. He was last in the ring in December 2020, when his fight with fast-rising contender Jaron Ennis lasted less than a full round because van Heerden was cut by a an accidental headbutt. The fight was ruled a no contest.

 

Also fighting this week:

THURSDAY

Ricardo Sonny Robledo vs. Michael Meyers, junior welterweights, Costa Mesa, California (FITE).

FRIDAY

Gavin Gwynne vs. Luke Willis, lightweights, London (ESPN+). Ruben Villa vs. Horacio Garcia, featherweights, Ontario, California (Thompson Boxing YouTube and Facebook)