Yordenis Ugas takes on Manny Pacquiao this weekend in a fight that was only agreed less than two weeks ago. The Cuban fighter has been given the chance following the announcement that Errol Spence is suffering from a torn retina.
Can Ugas make the most of this opportunity? Here, DAZN takes a look at when late replacement opponents covered themselves with glory after producing superb efforts.
Lennox Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko, 2003
In what would be the final fight of Lennox Lewis’ illustrious career, the Brit heavyweight was pushed all the way by Vitali Klitschko. Lewis was originally set to face Canada’s Kirk Johnson, but a chest injury suffered in the build-up by the ordinary contender ensured that Lewis had to look elsewhere.
With Klitschko set to appear on the undercard against Cedric Boswell, the Ukranian was drafted into the main event spot and he gave Lewis all he could handle for six rounds. With Klitschko’s face a bloody mess, he was stopped on his stool before the seventh round could start but his heroic performance earned him many plaudits as he went onto to replace his opponent as the division’s best fighter following Lewis’ Retirment in 2004.
Callum Smith vs. Nieky Holzken, 2017
Standing in the way of Callum Smith and a place in the inaugural WBSS 12st final was meant to be Germany’s Jurgen Braehmer. With a lucrative fight against either George Groves or Chris Eubank Jr the reward for the victor, the fight was dealt a blow when Braehmer withdrew due to illness. Enter Nieky Holzken.
Already set for a place on the show’s undercard, Holzken, a fighter whose background was largely in kickboxing, had the daunting task of trying to derail Smith’s blistering momentum. The Liverpool man had blown away the bulk of his opponents before Holzken but he had to be content with hearing the final bell as the Dutch fighter demonstrated an admirable toughness to last the distance.
Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz, 2019
Anthony Joshua’s American unveiling was intended to take place against brash New Yorker, Jarrell Miller, in Madison Square Garden. A failed drugs test from the Brooklyn man placed the entire event in jeopardy but the show was saved when Andy Ruiz, a fringe contender, agreed to step in. What happened next would enter boxing folklore.
Conceding a bunch of attributes to Joshua, Ruiz made his telling advantage in speed count as he beat the 2012 Olympic gold medallist to the punch in round three. Joshua was dropped twice in the aforementioned session and he barely recovered. Ruiz continued to chip away and he got the job done in round number seven to complete one of the sport’s biggest ever upsets.
Victor Ortiz vs. Josesito Lopez, 2012
Awaiting Victor Ortiz if victorious over last minute substitute, Josesito Lopez, was Canelo Alvarez. It was a fight he never got to see. Originally slated to take on Andre Berto in a much-anticipated rematch from their legendary 2011 encounter, Ortiz had to make do with Lopez after Berto tested positive for a banned substance.
Following a see-saw battle, Ortiz was rescued by his corner after suffering a broken jaw in the tenth session. Lopez had made a huge impression despite being a late substitute and his industry was rewarded as he was handed the fight with Canelo where he would lose in five rounds.
Anthony Joshua vs. Carlos Takam, 2017
Following his monumental win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in 2017, Anthony Joshua was ordered to defend the IBF title against Kubrat Pulev. Weeks before a scheduled fight at Wales’ Principality Stadium, the Bulgarian suffered an injury that paved the way for France’s Carlos Takam to grab a lifechanging opportunity.
Despite only having a few days' notice, Takam arrived prepared and he didn’t take a backward step as he took the fight to Joshua from the outset. After shipping some almighty punishment, Takam was eventually stopped in the tenth session, and even that decision brought complaints from the resilient challenger. 'AJ' also took care of Pulev eventually, winning their overdue clash in December 2020.