Yordenis Ugas, the former world champion who defeated Manny Pacquiao, plans to return to the boxing ring for one more fight. The Cuban boxer made the announcement on social media, expressing his desire to face a fourth consecutive champion.
Ugas hasn't fought in over 18 months. His last two bouts ended in defeat - a 10th round TKO loss to Errol Spence in April 2022 and a unanimous decision loss to Mario Barrios in September 2023. Despite these setbacks, Ugas remains eager to step back into the ring.
I've been training for almost two years. Training is like a lifestyle for me. I want to fight a fourth consecutive champion. I'm excited to get back to fighting. My last two fights, even in defeat, were exciting, and I know a lot of good fans want to see me fight.
The 38-year-old Cuban boxer gained significant attention when he defeated Manny Pacquiao for the WBA welterweight title in August 2021. That victory marked a high point in Ugas' career, but he's faced challenges since then.
Ugas' announcement comes as his former opponent, Manny Pacquiao, also prepares for a comeback. The Filipino boxing legend will face Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this July. Pacquiao's return at 46 years old, after nearly four years of inactivity, has sparked debate in the boxing community.
While Pacquiao's comeback has generated buzz due to his legendary status, Ugas faces a different challenge. At 38, without the same drawing power as Pacquiao, he'll need to make a significant impact soon to achieve his goal of fighting another champion.
Ugas' determination shines through in his announcement. He's kept up his training regimen for almost two years, treating it as a lifestyle. The Cuban boxer believes his recent fights, though losses, were exciting enough to warrant fan interest in his return.
As both Ugas and Pacquiao prepare for their respective comebacks, the welterweight division looks set for some intriguing matchups in the near future. Fans will watch closely to see if these seasoned fighters can recapture their past glory in the ring.
