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‘Everything Has Been a Little More Difficult’: Fallen Champion, Who Suffers From Same Disease as Jada Pinkett Smith, Explains How It Affects His Boxing Career

Published 02/03/2023, 8:00 AM EST

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Former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas has publically come out and detailed his struggles with a disease called Alopecia. This is an autoimmune disease that can cause loss of hair on the face and body. Moreover, this is the same disease actress Jada Pinkett Smith is suffering from, which is why she is seen sporting a bald look. The main trigger for hair loss in this disease can be stress, which Ugas certainly was under a lot of.

The Cuban boxer was at a high point in his career after beating Manny Pacquiao back in 2021. However, his five-fight winning  streak would end at the hands of unified champion Errol Spence Jr, who knocked him out in their matchup in a one-sided affair and caused multiple injuries to Ugas. Despite this, the former champion was already deteriorating due to this disease and has now come out with a message detailing his struggles.

Yordenis Ugas reveals how Alopecia has affected his boxing career

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Ugas took to social media and posted a video detailing his struggles with the disease on Twitter. He revealed that his Alopecia had returned in 2019 and he has had difficulties in boxing since then. He added that he would get easily cut and swell up faster, but this didn’t make him lose his will. Moreover, he claimed that this disease had made him stronger mentally, although physically it had adverse effects.

Since the alopecia returned in 2019 everything has been a little more difficult with boxing, I swell up easier, I cut myself easier, but nevertheless it is when I have risen the most as a fighter and I have had bigger and bigger fights. It just prepared me for those little details,” he wrote.

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Ugas is currently 36 years old and past his prime. In addition, it is highly unlikely that he will fight for the title in this division, with Spence and Terence Crawford being the two standouts of it. However, Ugas has always been an underdog who has come out and defined expectations which he will try to do all while suffering from this horrific disease.

Jada Pinkett Smith shows off her hair loss from Alopecia

Pinkett Smith also revealed how Alopecia was after her body and well-being. Moreover, in an Instagram video, she showed off the hair loss she accrued with the disease and also detailed other symptoms of it. She also showed a bald patch that had formed as a line at the top of her head.

Mama’s gonna have to take it down to the scalp so nobody thinks she got brain surgery or something. Me and this alopecia are going to be friends… period!” she wrote in the caption.

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The profound effects of this disease can be seen very clearly and is certainly not a joking matter.

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What did you think about Ugas detailing his struggles with Alopecia? Let us know in the comments.

Watch This Story: 5 Factors That Cost Manny Pacquiao His Fight Against Yordenis Ugas

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Written by:

Sahil Sood

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Sahil Sood is a Boxing writer at EssentiallySports. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication, and holds a keen interest in the 'sweet science'. His journey towards following boxing began when he first saw the highlights of Mike Tyson as a teenager, and then closely followed the rise of Floyd Mayweather.
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Edited by:

Ajinkya Aswale