Yordenis Ugás shares media call with legend Felix Trinidad

WBA welterweight Yordenis Ugás answered questions on a call with boxing legend Felix Trinidad ahead of Ugás’ April 16 bout against Errol Spence Jr. 

As the April 16 welterweight unification bout between Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugás nears, Ugás enjoys some of the benefits of being the WBA champion.

Ugás (27-4, 12 KOs) climbed his way to the top, defeating Manny Pacquiao by decision in 2021 to earn the WBA belt. In 2014, the fighter from Cuba suffered back-to-back defeats in a career that has manifested in unlikely ways.

On Monday, April 4, Ugás was joined on a media call with boxing legend Felix Trinidad. Trinidad (42-3, 35 KOs) retired in 2008, having won titles in three divisions beating Pernell Whitaker, Oscar De La Hoya, and Fernando Vargas.

Ugás looked up to the Puerto Rican star during his early years and was honored to be on the call with the former champion.

“I remember watching Felix when I was a teenager, and he fought against De La Hoya,” Ugás said with a big smile on his face. “Everyone in Cuba was talking about it. That fight really blew my mind. It was amazing to watch Felix go toe-to-toe with Oscar. To see Felix achieve something so incredible was a great inspiration.”

Ugás couldn’t hide his excitement about being on call with Trinidad. His smile beamed for most of the duration of the call.

Watch Errol Spence Jr. vs. Yordenis Ugás on Showtime pay-per-view on Saturday, April 16 at 9 p.m. ET

“This is such a dream come true to be here talking with one of my idols in Felix Trinidad,” Ugás said. “It’s truly amazing. I’m very thankful to be in this position.”

It must have thrilled Ugás to hear ‘Tito’ returned the compliment.

“When I watched the Manny Pacquiao fight, I watched Ugas represent Cuba in an amazing way,” Trinidad said. “I believe that Ugas can emulate what he did against Pacquiao in the fight against Spence. His speed and precision is going to wow the crowd in this fight.”

Trinidad’s belief in Ugás could help ignite Ugás’ confidence when he fights the undefeated WBC and IBF champion Spence. Ugás is the underdog against Spence, but he’s a skilled veteran who’s coming of a win against the legendary Pacquiao.

“I did my job against Manny Pacquiao,” Ugás said. “I took the fight on 11 days’ notice. Whatever Spence said about what he would have done against Pacquiao, I’m not concerned. I’m only focused on the challenge that I have against Spence.”

Trinidad looks forward to Spence vs. Ugás. He honored both boxers by comparing their fight to his 1999 matchup against De La Hoya.

“This is going to be a fight of a champion against a champion,” Trinidad said. “When I fought De La Hoya, I knew that I had to go all out and couldn’t leave anything in the tank. I believe in Ugas, and he’s going to make us all proud.”

During the call, Ugás was asked about what would have occurred in a fantasy matchup between him and Trinidad. He gave a classy answer.

“I’m a competitor,” Ugás said. “I would have put my best foot forward in any decade. I would have loved to fight Trinidad and the other fighters of his era. I could have won, I could have lost, but I would have loved to face those challenges.”

Ugás gets his chance against a legend in the making. If Ugás knocks off Spence, his legacy will grow. They meet on April 16 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.