Yordenis Ugas vs. Abel Ramos media call highlights

Yordenis Ugas and Abel Ramos meet in what should be an exciting welterweight championship contest. Here’s what both boxers said, leading up to fight night.

Yordenis Ugas and Abel Ramos meet on Sunday, Sept. 6, for the vacant WBA “regular” welterweight title. Ugas is the betting favorite, but Ramos’s power has a way of changing fights.

Ugas (25-4, 12 KOs), 34, of Miami, Florida, by way of Cuba, is riding a two-fight winning streak. He stopped Mike Dallas Jr. in his last outing in February. Ugas isn’t a knockout puncher, but he has recently shown a willingness to trade punches.

Ramos (26-3-2, 20 KOs), 29, of Casa Grande, Arizona, has fought the likes of Regis Prograis and Jamal James but hasn’t always been the victor in those bouts. He was losing to Bryant Perrella in his last match until he dropped him twice in the 10th and final round. Referee Jack Reiss stopped the fight with one second left in the battle.

On Thursday, Sept. 3, Ugas and Ramos talked to the press, and Ramos’s performance against Perrella was a hot topic. Here’s what both fighters had to say.

Yordenis Ugas quotes

“This isn’t just my dream; this is the dream of an entire country that has waited almost half a century for a Cuban welterweight fighter with a world title. It’s a dream for the whole country. I want to represent my country and make them proud.

“Ramos is a tremendous fighter that never gives up. I congratulate him for winning that fight at the last second against Bryant Perrella. He earned it. Maybe the referee was too involved stopping it when he did, but Ramos earned every bit of it.

“I feel better than ever at 34-years-old. My preparation could not have been better. I feel great at this weight, and I’m so ready to put on a show on Sunday. I’m ready to show the fans the best performance of my career.

“This is about winning, no matter what, regardless of how we get there. Ramos is a strong fighter who will test me. I’m willing to go to my limits in order to go to my victory, no matter what method I need to achieve my goal.”

Abel Ramos quotes

“I’m excited for this fight. We had a great camp. We went down to Omaha, Nebraska, and linked up with Terence Crawford and team, and worked with his strength coach and nutritionist. We’re extremely prepared and ready to give a great fight Sunday night. It was great experience. We sparred with Crawford and Maurice Hooker as well, which was tremendous.

“Ugas is right up there with anyone I’ve faced. There’s a few guys I face who have already become champions like Regis Prograis and Maurice Hooker, and Ugas is definitely on their level. We expect nothing but the best Yordenis Ugas.

“Everybody has a job in the ring, and my job against Perrella was to get the win by any means necessary. I needed a knockout in that last round. I went out there and did what I had to do, and the referee made his decision.

“To get a knockout right at the last second of the fight, it was an emotional moment for me. It proved to me that I can change the tide of a fight, no matter the round. I have the power to change the fight at any moment. Sunday night is going to be an action-packed fight again, and you’re not going to want to miss this one.”

Fight information

Ugas vs. Ramos goes down on Sunday, Sept. 6, on FOX at 8 p.m. ET. Two undercards will be televised featuring welterweights Jesús Ramos vs. Esteban Garcia and Omar Juarez vs. Dakota Linger.