Errol Spence vs Yordenis Ugas LIVE: Latest updates, result and reaction tonight
Follow all the fallout from the main-event title fight
Errol Spence Jr added another welterweight title to his collection by stopping Yordenis Ugas on Saturday night.
Spence Jr, 32, retained the WBC and IBF belts at 147lbs while simultaneously taking his Cuban opponent’s WBA Super title. Prior to Saturday night’s main event, it had been 16 months since Spence Jr competed, with the American having beaten compatriot Danny Garcia via decision in December 2020 before going on to have surgery on his eye. That fight took place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where this Saturday’s headline bout was also staged. The 35-year-old Ugas (27-5, 12 knockouts), meanwhile, last fought in August, outpointing icon Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
The Cuban could not replicate that statement win, however, as he fell victim to Spence’s vicious and varied offence in front of a roaring Texas crowd. Though Ugas was spirited throughout, he began to wilt physically as the fight progressed. His best moment came with a one-two in the sixth round, when a distracted Spence expected the referee to retrieve his mouthguard. The punches sent the American staggering against the ropes, but Spence went on to produce his best work, causing Ugas’ right eye to swell significantly as the rounds passed by. Ultimately the injury led the official to call a stop to the action in the 10th round, ensuring a TKO victory for Spence Jr, the southpaw thus remaining unbeaten (28-0, 22 KOs) as he targets a unification clash with Terence Crawford.
Re-live round-by-round updates from Errol Spence Jr vs Yordenis Ugas this evening.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Baumgardner vs Matthysse – Round 9
Matthysse shows great heart to keep coming forward, and produces her best round in a while. Still, the talk from Baumgardner’s corner is of a “shutout”. It’s likely in all honesty.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Baumgardner vs Matthysse – Round 8
At this point, it’s really just a matter of whether Baumgardner can find a finish. She’s landed at 37 per cent accuracy to Matthysse’s 14 per cent through seven rounds.
Baumgardner presses forward, pumping out her jab. She is caught on the end of a left hook, but lands one in return.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Baumgardner vs Matthysse – Round 7
Spiteful body hooks from Baumgardner, who then hops on the spot, light on her feet.
Matthysse is resilient but, at 41, that sturdiness has to be degrading by the round.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Baumgardner vs Matthysse – Round 6
Matthysse keeps walking onto punches. This time it’s a well-timed right uppercut from Baumgardner.
The American now jabs to the chest and head, circling as Matthysse follows her.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Baumgardner vs Matthysse – Round 5
Terrific work from Baumgardner now, as the American flings hooks at Matthysse, alternating between the head and body.
Matthyse lands a jab but walks onto a stiff right straight in the process.
Again Baumgardner’s hands are low. She digs some hooks into the body of her challenger during a clinch late in the round.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Baumgardner vs Matthysse – Round 4
Matthysse now tries to lean on Baumgardner a bit to tire out the champion, whose preference is obviously to operate in space.
Baumgardner, with the referee’s help, is able to create enough space throughout the round to do enough work to take another frame.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Baumgardner vs Matthysse – Round 3
Matthysse tries to make things a bit messy, and ends up encouraging Baumgardner to grab hold of her to neutralise the Argentine in the clinch.
Matthysse is warned by the referee for leading with her head, it seems.
Baumgardner is looking a little quicker now, as she exhibits some speed with fast hooks off both wings – a one-two.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Baumgardner vs Matthysse – Round 2
Now Matthysse comes forward, though she eats a piercing counter right uppercut from Baumgardner for her trouble.
The American’s hands are low. She’s not the fastest with her punches, though, so it’s not looking like the smartest idea.
As a result, Matthysse is able to graze the champion once or twice. Still, another round for Baumgardner, surely.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Baumgardner vs Matthysse – Round 1
Matthysse, a former unified champion in the weight class below, is slowly backing up early on. She’s got her guard high.
Baumgardner puts together a four-punch combination, which Matthysse largely blocks.
Baumgardner’s speed and timing see her start to slip a couple of grazing shots through on her next attempt.
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