SHOWTIME Sports will provide live streaming coverage of Wednesday’s kickoff press conference featuring WBC and IBF world champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and WBA world champion Yordenis Ugas ahead of their welterweight title unification clash set for Saturday, April 16 live on SHOWTIME PPV from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The press conference takes place at AT&T Stadium and also features Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, SHOWTIME Sports President Stephen Espinoza and TGB Promotions President Tom Brown. The press conference is hosted by SHOWTIME Boxing’s Brian Custer and will stream live on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel
WBC and IBF world champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and WBA world champion Yordenis Ugas will square off in a welterweight title unification clash that headlines a SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, April 16 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in a Premier Boxing Champions event. Spence vs. Ugas is just the 12th unification fight in the rich history of the welterweight division, joining other classic matchups such as “Sugar” Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns I and Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao.
One of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, Spence looks to add a third welterweight championship belt to his resume when he returns to fight at AT&T Stadium in front of his hometown fans for the third time. Cuba’s Ugas has torn through the welterweight division since 2016, winning 12 of his last 13 fights, including most recently securing his WBA championship with a unanimous decision victory over legendary eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao in August.
“Errol Spence vs. Yordenis Ugas is a fight that will once again show the world how passionate boxing fans are in North Texas,” said Dallas Cowboys Owner, President and General Manager Jerry Jones. “AT&T Stadium was built to host big time events like this one, and we’re grateful to join with SHOWTIME, TGB Promotions, Man Down Promotions and Premier Boxing Champions for this incredible showdown on April 16.“
“SHOWTIME Sports® is proud to present one of the biggest events of 2022 and stylistically a can’t-miss matchup,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “The history of the welterweight division is chock-full of legendary fights but precious few title unifications. Much credit should be given to Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas for embracing this challenge and putting their titles on the line. But it’s not surprising. Spence is the best welterweight in boxing. There’s no debate when you consider his performances over the past several years. That being said, Yordenis Ugas is coming off the biggest win of his career. His confidence is sky high and he has the skills to back it up. If you had to pick a winner, it would be the fans.”
“The star-studded welterweight division will add yet another chapter to its dramatic history of memorable matchups when Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas go toe-to-toe for a highly-anticipated unification showdown on Saturday, April 16,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Spence has proven himself as one of the sport’s elite fighters and will have another opportunity to make history in front of his hometown fans, who have come out in droves for his last two fights at AT&T Stadium. This could be the toughest test of his career, as Yordenis Ugas enters this bout highly-confident in his ability after he stepped in to defeat Manny Pacquiao last summer.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Man Down Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at SeatGeek.com, the Official Ticketing Provider of AT&T Stadium.
Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) returns to the ring after he was forced to pull out of a summer showdown against Pacquiao due to an eye injury that he has since recovered from. The 31-year-old was launched into stardom when he first captured a welterweight crown by traveling to the U.K. to stop Kell Brook in front of Brook’s hometown fans in 2017 on SHOWTIME. Following triumphs over Lamont Peterson and Carlos Ocampo, Spence added the WBC 147-pound belt to his collection by dropping Shawn Porter on his way to a unanimous decision victory in one of 2019’s best matchups.
Fighting out of his native Desoto, Texas, Spence has twice competed at AT&T Stadium, the home of his beloved Dallas Cowboys. He has earned unanimous decision victories at the venue in March 2019 over four-division champion Mikey Garcia, and in December 2020 against two-division champion Danny Garcia. Spence represented the U.S. at the 2012 Olympics before turning pro later that year and scoring knockouts in 10 of his first 12 fights, showing the promise that he would eventually fulfill on the biggest stages of the sport.
“There’s nothing better than fighting in front of my hometown fans at AT&T Stadium,” said Spence. “This is the perfect stage for me to fight for a third welterweight world title and unify the championships. I’m healthy and ready to go. Yordenis Ugas has proven to be a tough champion and I know he will bring his very best. It’s a high-stakes fight on a big stage and that always brings out the best in me. The fans should expect fireworks at AT&T Stadium and on SHOWTIME PPV on April 16.’’
Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) has established himself as an elite welterweight since returning from a layoff in 2016 and elevating himself to world champion in January 2021 after winning a WBA belt by defeating Abel Ramos in September 2020. He solidified his world-championship status last August, when he stepped in for an injured Spence to defeat Pacquiao by unanimous decision.
Hailing from Santiago, Cuba and now living in Miami, Florida, Ugas was on an eight-fight winning streak before losing a narrow split-decision to Shawn Porter in his first world title fight in March 2019, having been edged out on the scorecards after what appeared to be a 12th-round knockdown in his favor was ruled a slip by the referee. The Olympic bronze medalist trains in Las Vegas with renowned coach Ismael Salas and owns victories over then undefeated fighters Jamal James, Omar Figueroa Jr. and Bryant Perrella, plus veteran contenders Thomas Dulorme and Ray Robinson.
“It’s a tremendous blessing to be in another big pay-per-view fight, especially against a great champion and top pound-for-pound fighter like Errol Spence Jr.,” said Ugas. “These are the types of fights that fans deserve. We both have plenty of time to prepare for each other, which means we are primed and ready to give the fans a show. I have a great trainer in Ismael Salas, who will have me prepared for battle. On fight night everyone will see a man at his best both physically and mentally. I’m pleased to have a hard-working team behind me and I’m thankful for this opportunity. On April 16 the energy in AT&T Stadium will be amazing.”
Errol Spence Jr. Signs to Team Everlast
World Champion and Pound for Pound Great, Errol Spence Jr., Signs to Team Everlast
New York, NY – MARCH 1, 2022 – Everlast Worldwide the premier boxing and combat sports equipment manufacturer and perennial Choice of Champions, welcomes WBC & IBF Welterweight World Champion, Errol Spence Jr., officially back to Team Everlast.
Spence began his unbeaten world champion campaign in 2017 when he dropped and eventually stopped Kell Brook to win the IBF welterweight title after 11 rounds. In 2019, Errol picked up his second title when he defeated Shawn Porter for the WBC belt and unified status in what was arguably the fight of the year.
“Team Everlast has always been about adding the world’s most elite athletes. Errol is a rare talent who truly embodies the values of strength, dedication, individuality and authenticity we covet here at Everlast. We are honored to have him officially back as part of the Team Everlast family,” said Chris Zoller, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development for Everlast.
Errol has been with Team Everlast since 2018 and Everlast has been a necessary part of his training even since his amateur and Olympic days.
“I am happy to continue my career representing the Everlast brand. They have truly made me feel a part of the Everlast family. I appreciate their loyalty and patience over the years,” said Errol Spence Jr.
In signing a long-term partnership with the premier fight sports and fitness brand, Errol will train and fight exclusively in his favorite Everlast fight sports equipment and wear the new Greatness sportswear range. Battle-tested in one of the toughest athletic environments, Everlast products have been crafted over a hundred years to empower you on the road to greatness.
Adrian Clark, who has been integral in bringing Errol to Team Everlast says, “Errol becoming the face of Everlast is legendary. Both Everlast & Errol share a passion for being of service to different communities. We have some really cool things planned for the future.”
Errol becomes the latest to join Everlast’s existing stable of elite athletes, which includes champions like Deontay Wilder, Dustin Poirier, Josh Taylor and more. Together, the #TeamEverlast fighters seek to inspire the fight in us all on the journey to greatness.
