Yordenis Ugas confesses his worst nightmare before world title fight against Errol Spence

Today's best Cuban boxer, Yordenis Ugás, will stand between the ropes against Errol Spence Jr. for the world title, having already won the fight of his life. After six failed attempts to escape from Cuba, which resulted in prison sentences, Ugás finally won his freedom.

In 2010, just two years after the Beijing Olympics, the boxer finally escaped from the island where professional boxing was banned until a week ago and ended up in Mexico. He then traveled to Miami in the hope of literally fighting for a better life.

#SpenceUgas 10 years ago this fight and defeat would mark my career. It would take years to recover. But I did it. I recovered and came back. pic.twitter.com/Pv9B0xNcWR

— Yordenis Ugas (@YordenisUgas) April 11, 2022

However, his attempted defections and prison punishments remind him that he has overcome far greater challenges than those presented in the ring. "Absolutely the will in me always carries over to a fight. There were times when I was really down after spending days in jail, but I never lost hope. Being a role model is very important when you're a top athlete. I will always do my best to be a humble fighter who inspires others,” the 35-year-old fighter told The Last Stand.

The 2008 Olympic bronze medalist made his professional debut in 2010, the same year he came to the United States. He won his first 11 fights before losing by upset to Johnny Garcia in 2012. Despite bouncing back with four wins, Ugas suffered a disaster in 2014 with back-to-back losses to Emmanuel Robles and then Amir Imam. The blow proved so damaging that he retired from the sport.

Ugás moved to New Jersey and worked odd jobs to make ends meet until a phone call turned his life upside down. Aroldis Chapman, the baseball star who had signed a lucrative contract with the Cincinnati Reds, offered his friend and fellow defector a lifeline. Chapman gave Ugas money to return to boxing and train in Las Vegas, an opportunity he grabbed with both hands, literally.

Dos Cubanos Chapman el pitcher el Misil y Yordenis Ugas Boxeador Campeón Mundial casual en las entrañas de Mounstro Brutal. Cubanos que llegaron a un país q reconoció tu talento trabajo y esfuerzo pero bueno ahora las clarias me caen diciendo que Cuba le dió todo el conocimiento pic.twitter.com/eVm9VnpEs0

— CHANCHUCHO (@chanchu33) January 22, 2022

The fighter was mostly avoided in the welterweight division, only narrowly losing a decision to 34-year-old Shawn Porter in 2019. But the WBA title was not awarded to him until 2021 amid Manny Pacquiao's inactivity, but with the tag of the interim champion.

As luck would have it, he was given a chance to legitimize himself last August after Spence, 32, pulled out of a fight with Pacquiao, 43. Yordenis replaced Spence, who suffered a detached retina in training and defeated the iconic Filipino PacMan on points, becoming an overnight sensation. "I'm a man of great faith and I've never had a problem believing in myself. Every fight I go into, I have full confidence that I will come out victorious," said Ugas.

#SpenceUgas Espero termine la narrativa de que la afición cubana no apoya a sus luchadores. La comunidad cubana una vez más va salir a apoyarme.Mi comunidad está orgullosa de mí y de lo que estoy haciendo dentro y fuera del ring. Ganarme ese respeto es el gran orgullo de mi vida.

— Yordenis Ugas (@YordenisUgas) April 9, 2022

The now-WBC champion will now return from injury straight into a unification fight against the Cuban next Saturday in Texas. It will be the second consecutive left-handed fighter Ugas has faced, both times starting as the underdog in the betting—the story of his life. 

"If I become undisputed world champion at any point in my career, then I will have cemented my legacy as one of the best fighters in boxing history," concluded Yordenis Ugas, the Cuban hope.