The fight is on! Manny Pacquiao and Errol Spence Jr. formally announced their August 21 title showdown in a press conference on Sunday. The much-anticipated welterweight championship fight will see Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion, lock horns with Spence, one of the most dominant champions in the sport of boxing today.
The bout will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on FOX pay-per-view, with Spence putting his WBC and IBF titles, as well as the Ring Magazine welterweight championship belt, on the line.
On the other hand, Pacquiao's championship belt won't be at stake after the WBA decided not to reinstate the 42-year-old Filipino as its super welterweight champion after years of inactivity.
Pacquiao's championship belt not at stake after WBA declines reinstatement
Pacquiao's last bout was in July 2019 against WBA super welterweight champion Keith Thurman which he won via split decision. He's since been replaced as WBA titleholder by Yordenis Ugas, much to the dismay of Pacquiao, who wanted to defend the title against Spence. Sean Gibbons, president of MP Promotions, was livid with WBA's decision to strip Pacquiao of the championship belt, saying, "I can tell you what Manny didn't receive - DUE PROCESS AND RESPECT."
Regardless, Pacquiao is still excited about his upcoming showdown with Spence, saying, "There was a lot of opportunity to pick a - not easy fight, but a much easier fight compared to Errol Spence. But I decided to pick Errol Spence because I want to give a good fight to the fans, I want a real fight. I'm a fighter and boxing is my passion."
Pacquiao's career looked to be in shambles after suffering a shocking loss to Jeff Horn in Australia back in 2017. He has reasserted himself, however, as one of the best welterweight fighters in the world, with Pacquiao winning each of his last three fights.
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Spence promises to be Pacquiao's toughest challenge yet
It won't get any easier for him, however, against Spence who's arguably one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world right now. Spence hasn't been defeated in 27 professional fights, with 21 of his victories coming by way of knockout.
Given his excellent knockout record, Spence was asked if he can do the same against Pacquiao. Spence said he would not go for the knockout against Pacquiao, but believes he can stop the boxing legend or anyone else, saying, "I definitely have the ability to finish him, but for me it's about winning the fight. It's to stay focused and win the fight."
The 31-year-old Spence made a successful return to the ring last December after surviving a single-car crash from his Ferrari 488 Spider in October 2019, beating Danny Garcia via unanimous decision. He was convicted of driving while intoxicated but received no jail time for that incident.
Pacquiao might be 42 years old already, but he has proven to be durable in the latter years of his boxing career. He has not been stopped since that devastating knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth and final fight back in 2012.
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