WBC Welterweight World Champion Shawn Porter will make his first title defense in primetime as he battles mandatory challenger Yordenis Ugas.
The matchup takes place on Saturday, March 9 and headlines a night of action on Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes, live from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, in Carson, California.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Porter vs. Ugas and let us know who you think will win.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Hans Themistode, Staff Writer
Yordenis Ugas is a damn good fighter. He’s won eight straight fights and has earned this spot.
Ugas is a really good fighter, but Shawn Porter is a great one. It might be a little rough on the eyes like many of Porter’s fights, but expect him to pick up the unanimous-decision victory.
Prediction: Porter
Andrew Kang, Staff Writer
Shawn Porter has too much juice and talent against Yordenis Ugas.
Prediction: Porter
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Porter
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
Shawn Porter defending his WBC welterweight strap this weekend against Cuban born Yordenis Ugas will be fun to watch… as long as it lasts.
Ugas is solid and skilled, running up an impressive record of 23-3 against largely nondescript competition.
This fight will be several steps up for the young prospect, which represents both a great opportunity and incredible challenge.
Porter’s resume is studded with champions, former champions, contenders and prospects. There will be one more added to his growing list of scalps as he overwhelms Ugas with his rough, swarming style and stops him in Round 9.
Prediction: Porter
Joshua Diaz, Staff Writer
I have Shawn Porter turning this into his preferred style of fight.
He will force Yordenis Ugas to fight his fight–a rough, rugged, phone booth fight.
Porter is on another level that Ugas can’t compete with.
Prediction: Porter
Eric Ramos, Staff Writer
Yordenis Ugas upsets Shawn Porter by 10-round knockout.
Prediction: Ugas
R.L. Woodson, Staff Writer
Yordenis Ugas has worked his tail off to get here, and he presents some unknowns for Shawn Porter in terms of how Ugas performs under the bright lights of a world title fight.
I’m not sure Ugas brings any one facet to the fight that could trouble Porter. Porter may be able to box more and dictate pace when he wants.
Expect Ugas to show he deserved the fight, but Porter’s respect for his craft and superior game likely gets him a unanimous decision.
Prediction: Porter
Robert Contreras, Staff Writer
Shawn Porter has reached the crescendo of his career after defeating Danny Garcia. He’s earned this headliner on national television against Yordenis Ugas, who is a slippery opponent.
The Cuban Olympian has even gained some traction to pull off an upset. But Porter’s mauling attack is a nightmare for anybody in the world and the defending champ will outwork his man. Porter by unanimous decision.
Prediction: Porter
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Yordenis Ugas has an impressive boxing background and story. The Cuban Olympic bronze medalist didn’t make good on his potential the first time around, but after returning to the sport following a two-year break he has scored a series of solid victories over the likes of Jamal James, Bryant Perrella and Ray Robinson.
Ugas has taken advantage of every opportunity put in front of him since his two-year hiatus, and Saturday night will be no different.
Shawn Porter probably presents one of the most frustrating and difficult styles for any boxer to deal with, but Ugas has been around the block. If Ugas can keep Porter on the end of his jab and limit the effectiveness of Porter’s leaping attacks, the Cuban can have success like Kell Brook did.
The weight issue gives Ugas another small edge, so we’ll see what Porter has left in the tank in the middle-to-late rounds. I’ll take Ugas by close but clear decision.
Prediction: Ugas
