Yordenis Ugas and his team are well aware that they’ll encounter a fresher, stronger, taller, younger opponent than Manny Pacquiao on April 16. (photo by Ryan Hafey)

Errol Spence Jr. still took the opportunity during a recent press conference to remind Ugas and his trainer, Ismael Salas, just how much of a different fighter will await them next month at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Spence respects Ugas for his willingness to always take tough fights, yet the unbeaten IBF/WBC champion contended that their 12-round, 147-pound title unification fight will be much more challenging than Ugas’ previous outing.

“It’s gonna be a great fight,” Spence said. “Ugas is a guy, like I said, he always comes to fight. He never turned down his collar to fight anybody. But um, with all respect, you know, to Pacquiao, I feel like I’m a way different fighter than Pacquiao. I feel like, at this point right now, I’m a better fighter than Pacquaio.”

Pacquiao was 42 when the 35-year-old Ugas out-boxed him and convincingly won their 12-round WBA “super” welterweight title fight on points August 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Spence likened Ugas’ victory to noteworthy wins over faded legends by boxers who remained in their physical primes.

“I mean, y’all keep bringing up Pacquiao,” Spence continued, “but that’s like, you know, Larry Holmes fighting Ali or Terry Norris beating up ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard or [Marcos] Maidana beating up Erik Morales. Like Pacquiao is way past his, you know, way past his prime. That was the passing of the torch for myself, but I missed the opportunity.

“So, you know, I’m just gonna put on a great performance. Like I said, he’s a great fighter. He’s gonna come to fight. He’s a real warrior, but I’m gonna put on a great show and great performance for my crowd. And I’m hungry, too, because like I said, this is, you know, my third chance at boxing. So, I won’t let the opportunity pass me, either.”

Holmes was 30 when he stopped a 38-year-old Muhammad Ali after the 10th round in October 1980. Terry Norris was just 23 the night he dominated Leonard, then 34, during their 12-rounder in February 1991. A 34-year-old Morales almost upset Maidana, who was 27 when he withstood a stubborn Morales and won their 12-round bout by majority decision in April 2011.  

Spence (27-0, 21 KOs), of DeSoto, Texas, is three years younger than Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) and generally regarded as one of the top five boxers, pound-for-pound, in the sport. He’ll end a 16-month layoff against Ugas, though, and will fight for the first time since he underwent surgery in mid-August to repair a torn left retina.

Spence’s eye injury forced him to abruptly withdraw from his own pay-per-view showdown with Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs). Ugas replaced Spence on 11 days’ notice and capitalized on that career-changing opportunity.

Caesars Sportsbook lists Spence as nearly a 4-1 favorite over Ugas. Showtime Pay-Per-View will distribute Spence-Ugas as the main event of a four-fight show.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.