Unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. is currently preparing to face Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugas at the AT&T Stadium on April 16. The former pound-for-pound world champion, Floyd Mayweather Jr. once spoke about how he was caught off guard while sparring Spence Jr.
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Mayweather was preparing for his WBC title defense against Robert Guererro in 2013. During this time, Spence Jr, who was also preparing for his bout against Brandon Hoskins. Spence Jr had an opportunity to step into the ring for a sparring session with Mayweather.
Mayweather was surprised by the then-upcoming champ’s performance in the session.
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TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 11: Errol Spence Jr. celebrates his victory against Chris van Heerden during their Premier Boxing Champions bout at the Ricoh Coliseum on September 11, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Mayweather was in awe of Spence Jr while talking about the session. He even mentioned that he was happy with the young fighter’s performance. Mayweather said, “I told you the guy was pushing it. He was giving me that good work. I say no, this is what I need. This is the kinda work I need. A young guy that’s gonna push me.”
Moreover, Mayweather also gave emphasis on how Spence’s drive caught him off guard. He added, “I came in, kind of caught me off guard. I say ok, I see I’m missing.”
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – MARCH 16: Floyd Mayweather Jr. stands in the ring before Errol Spence Jr takes on Mikey Garcia in an IBF World Welterweight Championship bout at AT&T Stadium on March 16, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
In conclusion, Mayweather added that sparring with Spence made him tighten up his game. He ended by saying, “Trying to get me made me tighten my game up. Made me want to work hard and that’s what I need from young fighters when they come to my training camp.”
Errol Spence vs Yordenis Ugas
Errol Spence Jr will be defending his WBA (Super) welterweight title against Yordenis Ugas at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
In a recent interview, Spence Jr was seen dissing Ugas’ technical skills as a fighter.
Spence Jr was in an interview with Fight Hub TV. In conversation, the host asked him if Ugas is the trickiest fighter he will face.
Spence replied, saying, “Well I don’t see him tricky at all. I think y’all putting too much emphasis on that. I mean most Cuban fighters, they move around a lot. They use angles, you know they stay on their feet and their toes. And Ugas not even that.”
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Written by
Edited by
Vibhanshu Kumar