Spence: "It's my own fault for the mouthguard incident"

Errol Spence Jr. commented on the capa incident that occurred during the sixth round of his bout last Saturday in Arlington with Yordenis Ugas. The Cuban with a right hand was able to knock out the cap of the American. Referee Lawrence Cole ordered Spence and Ugas to stop the fight and seemed about to stand between the boxers to allow Spence to re-insert the mouthguard, which the American began to look for with his eyes on the floor. Instead, Cole stepped back, after which Ugas landed two hits on a defenseless Spence.

Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) had every reason to criticize Cole after the fight, but the undefeated champion decided to take all the blame for not defending himself in the ring as he should have. Spence also admitted that he needs to better keep his mouth guard in the ring and not let it fall out from missed punches.

“Hey, no, it’s not like that at all,” Spence answered with a laugh when asked if he was angry with the referee. - He was right. No, I just need to buy a new mouthguard. My old one is broken. I have to make myself a new mouthguard. The old one did not stay in the mouth at all. She dangled a lot, and I had to clench my teeth very hard to keep her in my mouth. It's my fault. I made a big mistake as a beginner."

“Plus, I turned away and started looking for my mouth guard and then I was hit three times. This is also a gross mistake, unworthy of a professional. So, you know, it's my fault, because in the ring you always have to protect yourself. So, you know, I'm not angry."