Errol Spence Jr took another step towards becoming undisputed welterweight champion with victory over Yordenis Ugas in Texas.
In his first fight for more than 16 months, Spence added the WBA belt to his WBC and IBF titles with a tenth-round stoppage of his Cuban opponent, with the ringside doctor deeming Ugas could not continue with his eye so swollen.
Terence Crawford and his WBO strap now stand between Spence and the full set at 147 pounds, and it’s hoped that an undisputed showdown between the pair could take place later this year.
“Everybody knows who I want next. I want Terence Crawford next,” Spence said after the fight.
“That’s the fight that I want, that’s the fight everybody else wants. Terence, I’m coming for that belt.”
Crawford responded on Twitter: “Congratulations great fight now the real fight happens. No more talk no more side of the street let’s go!!!!
“@ErrolSpenceJr keep my belts warm I’ll be coming to grab em later this year.”
It was an impressive win for Spence, in his first fight since December 2020.
Since then he has had eye surgery, after an injury forced him to pull out two weeks before his scheduled fight with Manny Pacquiao.
@ErrolSpenceJr congratulations great fight now the real fight happens. No more talk no more side of the street let’s go!!!!😉🤝
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) April 17, 2022
Ugas stepped up as a last-minute opponent and beat Pacquiao, but a repeat result never looked likely against Spence at the AT&T stadium.
In the eighth round, the doctor allowed Ugas to continue despite his eye being almost swollen shut, however two rounds later the fight was brought to an end despite the Cuban’s protestations.
It extends Spence’s professional record to 28-0, with 22 of those coming by stoppage. He has beaten a number of big-name opponents already in his career, including Kell Brook, Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia, but a much-anticipated bout with Crawford would be a defining fight for both.
