YORDENIS UGAS will take on Errol Spence Jr. after he has won the fight of his dreams.
Ugas finally gained freedom after six unsuccessful defection attempts that all ended in jail.
Yordenis Ugas (right) won bronze for Cuba at the 2008 Olympics
In 2010, the boxer, only two years after the Olympics, finally left Cuba where professional boxing was banned and moved to Mexico.
In the hope of a better future, he would travel to Miami.
However, his failed attempts to escape and the prison sentences are reminders of the greater challenges he faced than any presented by the ring.
Ugas, 35 years old, said to SunSport that "Absolutely, the will within me is always carryover into a fight."
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"I was sometimes really down after spending many days in prison, but I never lost my faith.
When you're a prominent athlete, it is important to be a role model.
"I will always try my best to inspire others by being humble fighter."
In 2010, the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist made it's pro debut. He arrived Stateside in the same year.
After winning his first 11 fights, he lost to Johnny Garcia in 2012.
Despite bouncing back with four victories, Ugas was unable to overcome Emmanuel Robles, then Amir Imam, in 2014.
He was so hurt that he decided to quit the sport.
Ugas was a New Jersey resident at the time. He then began to take on odd jobs to make ends work until he received a phone call that turned his life around.
Aroldis Chapman was a former baseball star and offered his friend, a fellow defector, a lifeline.
Chapman offered Ugas money to train in Las Vegas and return to boxing, which Ugas took with both hands.
Ugas was largely ignored in the welterweight division. In 2019, he lost a dispute to Shawn Porter (34).
He was given the WBA title in 2021 after he was elevated from a'regular champion' by Manny Pacquiao.
Lucky for him, he was allowed to legitimise his self last August, after Spence (32), pulled out from fighting Pacquiao (43).
Spence, who had a detached retina during sparring, was replaced by Ugas. Ugas became a sensation overnight and upset the legendary PacMan on points.
It saw his great hero retire, but Ugas's life would never be the exact same.
He stated, "I'm a man of great faith. I have never had a problem believing in myself."
"Every fight that I take to you, I have complete faith that I will win."
WBC and IBF champion Spence will now be able to return from injury to fight Ugas in a unification bout on Saturday in Texas.
This will be Ugas' second consecutive southpaw encounter - both times starting as the underdog. It is the story of his entire life.
He stated that Manny Pacquiao was a faster fighter who throws his punches from all angles.
Spence is taller and has more power, but also has a longer reach. Because of Spence's height, I have prepared for him.
"Since Spence stands taller than Pacquiao we had some larger guys in camp with a longer reach.
Spence is just one win away against Terence Crawford (34), a fellow pound-for–pound star.
While the American holds the WBO belt and is unbeaten as a professional, Ugas beat Crawford in the amateurs.
Spence has lost one of his dream fights to Ugas, and Ugas is now ready to tear up the script and take control with all four world titles.
He stated, "Officially the plan is win this fight. This in turn will put me in great position. All I can think about is my future.
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"A prizefighter's goal is to be the greatest champion possible.
"If I am undisputed world champion in any of my fights, I will be able to cement my legacy as one the greatest fighters in boxing history."
