Yordenis Ugas bides his time with a second welterweight title shot well within reach.

First up for the top-rated contender is a scheduled 12-round clash with Mike Dallas Jr. (23-3-2, 11KOs), which tops a six-fight FS1 telecast airing live from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Ugas (24-4, 11KOs)—a Cuban export now based out of Miami—came up just short in his lone career title challenge, dropping a hotly contested 12-round split decision to Shawn Porter last March. The 33-year old welterweight has since rebounded with a lopsided points victory over previously unbeaten Omar Figueroa Jr. last July.

The win was to position him for a shot at a secondary welterweight titlist versus Alexander Besputin, who was forced to withdraw from talks due to a reported injury. With that came the opportunity to headline the 2020 season premiere of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on FS1.

Dallas Jr. enters riding a five-fight unbeaten streak. The second-generation boxer from Bakersfield, California held unbeaten Dusty Hernandez-Harrison to a draw in their May 2016 clash before disappearing for more than two years. He’s since fought just once each in 2019 and 2020.

UNDERCARD

Omar Juarez continued an undercard trend of boxers going more rounds than at any other point to date. The 20-year old junior welterweight prospect was pushed past the 6th round for the first time as a pro, but was in fully control in taking an eight round decision over Mexico’s Angel Martinez.

Scores were 80-71, 80-71 and 79-72 in favor of Juarez, who outlanded Martinez by nearly a 3:1 margin.

Martinez took a massive leap in competition level but proved a game opponent throughout the eight-round affair. The rail-thin Mexicali native—fighting outside of Mexico for the first time in his young career—never landed much to bother Juarez but his ability to absorb forced the young prospect to work harder for the win than had been the case for his previous six contests.

Juarez sent Martinez to the canvas in round two, although the sequence was accurately waved off as a punch was followed by a push. An accidental clash of heads left Martinez was a deep cut in his scalp, though ultimately never becoming a factor.

With the fight well out of reach, Juarez put an exclamation point on his performance with a knockdown in round seven. A counter left hook by Juarez set up another left hook up top to send Martinez to the deck for the bout’s lone knockdown. Martinez’s most authoritative moment in the fight came in the 8th and final round, though flirting with disqualification in the sequence as he landed a left elbow across Juarez’s chin.

Juarez had scored three straight knockouts prior to Saturday, but remains perfect as a pro as he advances to 7-0 (4KOs).

Martinez-who turns 21 later this month—snaps a nine-fight win streak as he falls to 10-2 (10KOs).

Teenage prospect Jesus Ramos went deeper than he’s ever been at any point in his career, but at no point was a threat to lose his perfect ring record.

The 18-year old southpaw put together yet another complete performance in dismantling Ramal Amamov in six rounds. The one-sided affair was stopped by Amanov’s corner at the end of round six.

Ramos (12-0, 11KOs) built on his spectacular showing versus Rickey Edwards less than four months ago—also on FS1—in showing poise while landing nearly 50% of his punches on the night. The Arizona-based welterweight had Azerbaijan’s Amanov (16-2, 5KOs) hurt in round three courtesy of a straight left, but stepped back and regrouped once he sensed the opening wasn’t there for further damage.

Amanov managed to sneak in an uppercut during an exchange in round five, his lone bright spot in the fight. Ramos went back on the attack, picking apart the 35-year southpaw until his corner decided he’d absorbed enough punishment.

Deon Nicholson came dangerously close to extending his perfect knockout-to-win percentage as he had Earl Newman nearly out in the opening round of their televised opener. The 29-year old cruiserweight instead had to settle for the first distance fight of his career, prevailing by unanimous decision.

Scores were 97-93, 96-94 and 96-94 for Nicholson (13-0, 12KOs), who was also extended beyond the 4th round for the first time in his career.

Nicholson—who hails from Tuscaloosa, Alabama—jumped out to an explosive start, eager to rack up yet another 1st round knockout. Through pure heart and will, Brooklyn’s Newman (10-3-1, 7KOs) survived the onslaught. Through dedicated boxing skill came a stellar comeback from the 28-year old to not only make a fight out of it, but force Nicholson to sweat out the final result.

It was unanimous in the end, as Newman is now winless in last four starts. Nicholson had only been past the 4th round twice in his career, but comes out the better from the experience in proving he can go 10 hard rounds.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox