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Manny Pacquiao set to fight Errol Spence Jr in Las Vegas in August

Last updated on .From the section Boxingcomments173

Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao's last fight was against Keith Thurman in July 2019

Manny Pacquiao is set for his first fight in two years when he faces WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr in August.

The 42-year-old has not fought since he beat Keith Thurman for the WBA welterweight title in July 2019.

He announced on Twitterexternal-link that he will meet 31-year-old Spence Jr in Las Vegas on 21 August in what would be his 72nd professional fight.

Pacquiao, who is a serving senator in the Philippines, has a 62-7-2 record.

He is aiming to win a world title in a fourth decade after first claiming the WBC flyweight belt in 1998. He has won world titles at eight different weights in his 26-year pro career.

Spence Jr, who has a 27-0 record, claimed victory over Danny Garcia in December in his first fight since a serious car crash in 2019 that left him in intensive care.

Confirming the fight on Instagram, Spence Jr wrote: "Done deal! See y'all in Vegas for the biggest fight of the year."

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173 comments

  • Comment posted by Avi Masson, at 10:38 22 May 2021

    Retire Manny you've done your bit

    • Reply posted by jus4jks, at 10:53 22 May 2021

      jus4jks replied:
      Agreed 👍🏻

  • Comment posted by jabber, at 10:53 22 May 2021

    It’s an interesting fight depending on how much pacquiao has left, but it’s not obvious fight we want to see. Again boxing fails to put on the best that it can - Crawford vs Spence. And while I’m at it- why the hec isn’t a UK tv station showing the Taylor Vs rameriez fight tonight. A british fighter going for all the bets and sky/Bt can’t even put their hands in their pockets- an utter disgrace.

    • Reply posted by Toilet Paper, at 11:31 22 May 2021

      Toilet Paper replied:
      There just isn't enough interest for Crawford vs Spence. Not enough money can be offered for what should be a pound-for-pound bust up. This Pacquiao fight should help raise Spence's profile and make the inevitable a better fight

  • Comment posted by Route1, at 11:27 22 May 2021

    Well, it's more credible than Mayweather against a youtube blogger, but not much.
    Pacquiao is an effectively retired 42 year old, and Spence is one of the world's best boxers, and in is prime.
    So Spence will have Pacquiao's name on his CV, but it should have a big asterisk beside it.

    • Reply posted by Gunner-Idiot, at 11:36 22 May 2021

      Gunner-Idiot replied:
      At least in FM case it’s not a full professional bout and is purely entertainment. This is a fully fledged world title fight, I love boxing but I’m not at all surprised many turn to UFC nowadays.

  • Comment posted by ancelotti_s left eyebrow is sentient, at 12:02 22 May 2021

    Over the years, boxing has become more and more of a joke. Mayweather fighting a youtuber. That 'stunt' with his cap being stolen by that youtuber guy was just straight out of WWE.
    I'm convinced that this fight is not what true boxing fans want to see.
    ... and neither is Mayweather v 'youtube influencer non-boxer guy'

    • Reply posted by The-Artful-Dodga, at 12:10 22 May 2021

      The-Artful-Dodga replied:
      They are both at least pedigree boxers, pacman is getting on a bit now though, but agree boxing has become farcical in many ways.

  • Comment posted by GingerPrince, at 11:47 22 May 2021

    Biggest fight of the year?? What's Spence Jr been smoking?

    • Reply posted by Janer64, at 12:13 22 May 2021

      Janer64 replied:
      It's his biggest fight in his life time so yes he's excited ^

  • Comment posted by ProudCornishMan, at 11:17 22 May 2021

    It will be over two years since Pacquiao last fought, then he gets to challenge for world title, i know his world title credentials, but surely active contenders should be getting title shots.

    Sadly at so many weights the title chances for active contenders is frozen, or at best very slow moving what with this scenario or those rematch clauses that are popular today.

    • Reply posted by Cos-my-neighbour-said-so, at 11:38 22 May 2021

      Cos-my-neighbour-said-so replied:
      All about the dollar .. little else nowadays

  • Comment posted by UK_Enigma, at 11:51 22 May 2021

    All about the money! Funny though that the big bucks are fighting a 42yr old who hasn’t been in the ring for 2 years and not the other big names!

    Boxing is just about money these days like football. Bring back the days when people wanted the title and don’t allow these fights, make the champ have to fight the No1 or be stripped. All fight 60/40 to the winner so promoters cannot add their greed

    • Reply posted by Sheikh-Prattle-And-Droll, at 12:03 22 May 2021

      Sheikh-Prattle-And-Droll replied:
      These days? It's ALWAYS been about the money - boxers are prize fighters. Always were, always will be...

  • Comment posted by PCSJZ, at 10:54 22 May 2021

    Spence v Crawford is the fight people want to see.

    • Reply posted by Cos-my-neighbour-said-so, at 11:41 22 May 2021

      Cos-my-neighbour-said-so replied:
      Agree 100% .. I’d edge Spencer on points for that one

  • Comment posted by philbin, at 14:18 22 May 2021

    Pay per view rip off I remember the good old days ITV fight night

  • Comment posted by You Stupid Boy, at 12:22 22 May 2021

    With YouTubers, UFC fighters and retired boxers entering the ring, boxing has descended into an utter farce.

    • Reply posted by U18168592, at 16:05 22 May 2021

      U18168592 replied:
      only a sith deal in absolutes

  • Comment posted by Jsmiffi74, at 13:04 22 May 2021

    Whatever happens, Manny has been an absolute legend. A rare breed for continually fighting the best and even when he loses and we think he’s done, he bounces back and defies his years. One of the GOAT and we have watched something we may never see again with his achievements

    • Reply posted by Torys Nicked Dads Pension, at 13:10 22 May 2021

      Torys Nicked Dads Pension replied:
      I think he is cashing in on his legend and will loose. better if he fought in Dubai more money and judges can be more honest and straight

  • Comment posted by More on this story, at 15:36 22 May 2021

    Boxing has become a joke over the past decade or so!

    Even makes WWE look credible!

  • Comment posted by jr, at 12:25 22 May 2021

    What saddens me is that a prime Pacquiao would have knocked out Spence but that was 15 years ago. I’m sure Amir Khan will be calling out Pacquiao again soon.

    • Reply posted by Brendan, at 15:08 22 May 2021

      Brendan replied:
      Can't stand Khan. Hasn't beat anyone of any world class in years and still wants Manny it Mayweather purely for the cash in.

  • Comment posted by DCG1987, at 12:17 22 May 2021

    Whilst Manny is an absolute legend of the sport and one of the toughest fighters I’ve seen - this (other than the money) is a sad end to his career. As for Spence, other than the money, this is a silly fight - he wants to prove he’s the best, then he should be fighting the best.

    • Reply posted by Brendan, at 19:37 22 May 2021

      Brendan replied:
      It's a lose, lose situation for Spence, cause he's expected to win and win well and by a stoppage. When Spence wins people will say, ahh sure Manny is 42 he's way pass it. Pointless fight. Just another case of a great boxer fighting one too many fight. If however Manny wins(can't see it) then it ridicules the idea that Spence is great.

  • Comment posted by Gunner-Idiot, at 11:13 22 May 2021

    What a disappointing fight for Spence at this stage in his career. PAC is not the man he once was and is 42. Beating him proves nothing, losing to him loses everything. I only imagine it will give him a good pay day and if so fair enough. I don’t object to that as he had every right to earn as much cash as possible. But as a fight I’ll pass....agree with the comment below. ES v TC is what we want

  • Comment posted by Ewanmax, at 12:50 22 May 2021

    Yeah, this should be front page Sport and top of the Boxing page on the day that Josh Taylor fights to unify the light welterweight belts, the first Scot, Brit and possibly European fighter to do so...

  • Comment posted by horseplay, at 12:46 22 May 2021

    Disappointing. Spence v Crawford is the fight I want to see.

  • Comment posted by NotMyBoss, at 12:42 22 May 2021

    When will boxing get its house in order? It doesn't need to be like this.

  • Comment posted by Ingvar_Gunnarsson, at 12:08 22 May 2021

    This is why the UFC will eventually overtake boxing in the money stakes. The best fight the best, or you don't fight. You don't really get fighters fighting ten years past their sell-by date for another pay day.

    • Reply posted by Janer64, at 12:12 22 May 2021

      Janer64 replied:
      They said that 2 years ago and Manny best Thurman a very decent champ.
      But yes they're many things wrong with boxing.

  • Comment posted by Neil, at 12:01 22 May 2021

    Manny is a legend. Good luck to him.

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