Some critics and fans alike thought that Yordenis Ugas did enough to become a welterweight world champion in his March 2019 fight against Shawn Porter. Ugas eventually lost that fight via a painful split decision.
After padding out his fight resume with two wins since, Ugas will get another crack at becoming a welterweight world titleholder, when he faces Abel Ramos at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night. The vacant WBA strap will be on the line, and this time, Ugas doesn't plan to exit the ring without a title wrapped around his waist.
"I'm happy, anxious and excited, all in a good way, because I'm just so ready to fulfill this dream I've had since I started boxing — to win a world title," Ugas said during a recent PBC media conference call. "I know Ramos will be competitive and give his best, but I'm ready to give the best of myself and reach my dream.
"This isn't just my dream; this is the dream of an entire country that has waited almost half a century for a Cuban welterweight fighter with a world title," he added. "It's a dream for the whole country. I want to represent my country and make them proud."
Since being edged on the cards against Porter, the 34-year-old Cuban fighter produced a unanimous decision over Omar Figueroa Jr. last July and made Mike Dallas Jr.'s corner stop their fight after the seventh round in February. The loss to Porter, the former WBC welterweight champion, helped teach Ugas a valuable lesson toward those victories.
"The biggest lesson I learned from the Shawn Porter fight is that I can't get overconfident," he said. "I thought I had it in the bag, and it really wasn't that way. I have to always be attacking. I can never assume anything, no matter how the fight might look at the moment."
He'll be facing a hard-hitting Ramos, who is riding an eight-fight winning streak. The 29-year-old believes that his high-caliber sparring opponents have helped him prepare for Ugas.
"We sparred with (WBO welterweight champion Terence) Crawford and Maurice Hooker as well, which was tremendous," Ramos said. "Ugas is right up there with anyone I've faced. There's a few guys I face who have already become champions like Regis Prograis and Maurice Hooker, and Ugas is definitely on their level. We expect nothing but the best Yordenis Ugas."
Who will walk out of the Microsoft Theater as the new WBA welterweight champion of the world?
Here's everything you need to know about Ugas vs. Ramos.
Yordenis Ugás vs. Abel Ramos fight date, start time
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 6
- Prelims: 6 p.m. ET
- Main card: 8 p.m. ET
The Ugas vs. Ramos main card gets underway at 8 p.m. ET.
How to watch, live stream Ugás vs. Ramos
- FOX (main card)
- FS1 (prelims)
The Ugas vs. Ramos fight will air live on FOX. The bout can also be live-streamed on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com.
The prelims, beginning at 6 p.m., will be on FS1.
Where is the Ugás vs. Ramos fight?
The Ugas vs. Ramos fight will be held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The venue has been a go-to spot for PBC fights during the coronavirus pandemic. With continued practiced precaution, no fans will be in attendance. Ugas and Ramos have each fought in Los Angeles once, but never at the Microsoft Theater.
Yordenis Ugás record and bio
- Nationality: Cuban
- Born: July 14, 1986
- Height: 5-9
- Reach: 69 inches
- Total fights: 29
- Record: 25-4 with 12 knockouts
Abel Ramos record and bio
- Nationality: American
- Born: July 2, 1991
- Height: 5-9
- Reach: 69 inches
- Total fights: 31
- Record: 26-3-2 with 20 knockouts
Ugás vs. Ramos fight card
Main card
- Yordenis Ugás vs. Abel Ramos for the vacant WBA welterweight title
- Omar Juárez vs. Dakota Linger; Super lightweight
- Jesús Ramos vs. Esteban García; Super lightweight
Prelims
- Cody Crowley vs. Josh Torres; Welterweight
- Batyr Akhmedov vs. Rey Perez; Super lightweight