By Rex Neil Falogme

PHOTO: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

Errol "The Truth" Spence Jr. secured a 10th-round TKO victory against former Manny Pacquiao conqueror Yordenis Ugas to unify his WBC, IBF and WBA welterweight titles inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday (PhST).

Spence landed heavy shots after another, shutting Ugas' right eye down enough to force the ringside doctor to stop the match with 1:44 minutes in the tenth round.

“I didn’t have any doubts at all. I believe in myself 100%. I train 100%, and I knew I would come through," said Spence Jr., who was bound to fight Pacquiao in the latter's farewell bout until Ugas replaced him due to an injury.

"I didn’t want a tune-up fight or fight someone I knew I could beat. I wanted someone that can bring the best out of me, and I know Ugas could bring the best out of me,” he added.

The two champions started aggressively in the first round, with Spence connecting a quadruple jab and Ugas answering back with body shots and an overhand to the head

Ugas continued his good start by unleashing jabs straight into Spence Jr, but the latter's one-two combinations gave him the lead in Round 2.

The close fight reached its climax in the 6th round, with Ugas sending Spence Jr into the ropes after being distracted by the loss of his mouthpiece. 

Spence managed to redeem himself in the next round and dominated Ugas until the Cuban's right eye was pitifully swollen.

Spence remained undefeated and improved to 28-0 with 22 knockouts after the win while Ugas fell to 27-5 with 12 knockouts.


Edited by Jostle Doen Pilayre