Yordenis Ugas

Early Life and Amateur Career

 

Yordenis Ugas was born on July 14, 1986, in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Growing up in a nation with a storied boxing tradition, Ugas was naturally drawn to the sport from a young age. He began training in boxing seriously during his childhood, quickly rising through the ranks due to his exceptional talent and dedication. Ugas’s amateur career is highlighted by significant accomplishments on the national and international stages. One of his earliest notable achievements came in 2003 when he won the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This victory marked Ugas as a promising young talent in the Cuban boxing scene.

 

In 2005, Ugas further cemented his reputation by winning the gold medal at the World Amateur Boxing Championships held in Mianyang, China. Competing in the lightweight division, Ugas displayed remarkable skill and composure, defeating several top-tier opponents to claim the title. This victory was a major milestone in his amateur career, showcasing his potential to succeed at the highest levels of the sport. Ugas’s success continued as he represented Cuba in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He competed in the lightweight division and won a bronze medal, adding to his impressive list of accolades.

 

Professional Career

 

Yordenis Ugas embarked on his professional boxing career with a promising start on July 9, 2010, defeating Dino Dumonjic by unanimous decision at Club Europe in Atlanta, Georgia. This victory marked the beginning of Ugas’s journey from a celebrated amateur to a rising professional. His early professional years saw a series of impressive wins, including a second-round TKO victory over Marqus Jackson on August 18, 2010, and a first-round knockout against Anthony Adams on September 24, 2010.

 

Despite an initial streak of success, Ugas faced his first professional setback on March 23, 2012, when he lost to Johnny García by split decision at the Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona. This defeat was a learning experience that fueled Ugas’s determination to improve and succeed. He rebounded with notable victories, including a unanimous decision win over Cosme Rivera on December 7, 2012, and a knockout victory over Adan Hernandez on June 27, 2013. Ugas’s resilience and skill led to a series of significant wins in the welterweight division. On August 12, 2016, he defeated Jamal James by unanimous decision at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. This victory was followed by a fourth-round TKO win over Bryant Perrella on September 27, 2016, at the Buffalo Thunder Casino in Pojoaque, New Mexico. Ugas’s consistent performance earned him recognition as a formidable contender in the welterweight division.

 

One of Ugas’s most notable victories came on February 17, 2018, when he defeated Ray Robinson by TKO in the seventh round at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Paradise, Nevada. This victory propelled him into higher-profile fights, including a unanimous decision win over Cesar Miguel Barrionuevo on September 8, 2018, at the Barclays Center in New York City. Despite a split decision loss to Shawn Porter on March 9, 2019, in a bid for the WBC welterweight title, Ugas continued to prove his mettle in the ring.

 

Ugas’s career reached a pinnacle on August 21, 2021, when he secured a unanimous decision victory over boxing legend Manny Pacquiao at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. This win not only retained his WBA (Super) welterweight title but also solidified his status as one of the top welterweights in the world. However, Ugas faced a significant challenge on April 16, 2022, when he lost to Errol Spence Jr. by TKO in the tenth round at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, losing his WBA (Super) welterweight title in the process. Most recently, Ugas competed for the vacant WBC interim welterweight title against Mario Barrios on September 30, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.