Ugas Motivated To Shock Experts, Topple Errol Spence For IBF Belt

By Elisinio Castillo - Boxing Scene

On Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Cuba's Yordenis Ugas scored a seventh round knockout over Ray Robinson in an IBF welterweight eliminator.

Ugas (21-3, 10 KOs), is ranked in the number 2 slot in the IBF's rankings and wants to face the undefeated champion Errol Spence Jr. (23-0, 20 KOs), who is scheduled to fight on June 16th in the headliner of a Showtime televised card from Dallas, Texas.

Ugas, since moving up to the welterweight limit of 147-pounds, is riding a six fight run.

Robinson (24-3, 12 KOs) was dropped in the first round and then went down very hard in the seventh, which is when the contest was waved off.

"A night like that saves a life and a career," said Ugas to George Ebro.

"Some time ago I had doubts about whether there would still be something within boxing for me, as far as boxing at the highest level. A victory like this justifies the efforts, strengthens the mind and desire. It gives a change to the way you see things. ''

Now Ugas wants a shot at Spence, who is still without an opponent for the June date - and the Cuban boxer realizes that just every expert will pick against him in the fight.

"If you ask 10 people, nine of them will tell you that Spence Jr. will beat me, and I can not say anything against that, except that they do not know me very well," Ugas said.

"I'm ready for the champion or whatever. I already sent him a challenge, I hope that this fight will now happen. I wanted to send a message to all the welterweights out there. I am ready to compete and win. I think I did it [by winning the eliminator], and now I only expect a response [from Spence] in the near future, but I am enjoying this moment to the fullest."