Via Chris Williams: In a harrowing defeat, Yordenis Ugas suffered an orbital fracture in his right eye during their tenth round technical knockout against Errol Spence Jr in their 147 lb unification match last Saturday night.
ESPN reports that 35-year-old former WBA WBA Welterweight champion Ugas (27-5, 12 KOs0 suffered a right orbital fracture in a loss to IBF/WBC champion Spence (28-0.22 KOs). diagnosed at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.
Currently, no surgery is needed but that could change depending on how Ugas’ eyes look once the swelling goes away.
It would be a huge disappointment if Ugas required surgery the way former WBO super-middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders needed after suffering an orbital fracture in last year’s round of 16 loss to Canelo Alvarez.
With that kind of injury, Ugas could be out for a long time. On a positive note, when Ugas returns, he will be in a position to chase one of the four titles as they are beaten by winner Spence vs. Terence Crawford vacated. Both champions are expected to rise to 154 in 2023.
It is believed Cuban talent Ugas suffered an eye injury in the seventh round when Spence delivered a powerful left-hand strike. Almost immediately after the shot landed, Ugas’ right eye began to swell.
In recognition of his credit, Ugas bravely battled the injury despite the swelling getting worse from season seven to a bitter end in season ten.
Thankfully, that’s when referee Lawrence Cole wisely stopped in action to let a doctor examine Ugas’ injured eye. The fight then ended at 1:44 of tenth.
At the time of the shutdown, Ugas’ right eye was completely closed and the left side of his face was also severely swollen. It’s unclear how much vision Ugas has beyond his left eye, but it looks like a strabismus.
“Ugas, 35, fractured his right orbit in the 10th round TKO loss to Errol Spence Jr in the welterweight unification match on Saturday,” a member of Team Ugas said. ESPNMike Coppinger said.
This is the second major star that Spence is injured. In 2017, he stopped Kell Brook in a fight where he injured his eye.
Speak less https://t.co/48PR7EpStd
– Errol Spence (@ErrolSpenceJr) April 17, 2022
“There is no timidity. I fought to win a knockout,” Spence said in his post-match press conference. “I think that’s my style. I quickly made the adjustments.”
Spence wants to take on WBO champion Terence Crawford for the undisputed title if they can negotiate the match.
