Errol Spence Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao Canceled: New Opponent Announced for ‘Pacman'
Current IBF and WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. has withdrawn from his match against Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao after a retinal tear in his left eye, Premier Boxing Champions announced.
According to ESPN, PBC announced Tuesday that Spence's retinal tear in his left eye was discovered during a pre-fight medical examination.
The medical exam was conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and took place Monday. After the discovery of the eye injury, Spence would undergo surgery on Wednesday in Dallas, Texas.
Errol Spence Jr. said he was very disappointed that he won't be able to fight Manny Pacquiao on August 21.
"I was excited about the fight and the event. Unfortunately, the doctors found a tear in my left eye and said I needed to get surgery on it ASAP and that there was no way I could fight with my eye in that condition," said Spence, who holds two welterweight titles.
Spence tweeted later Tuesday that he had consulted with three different doctors regarding his eye situation, and all of them were positive about his recovery. He also said that he would be back to face the winner of the Pacquiao-Yordenis Ugas fight. Cuba's Ugas will now fight Pacquiao after Spencer's withdrawal.
"I came back from worse," Spence added.
It was worse indeed, as the 27-0, 21 KOs record holder was involved in a horrific one-car crash in October 2019 that resulted in a hospital stay for months.
Errol Spence Jr. returned to the ring a year later and took home a unanimous decision victory over Danny Garcia, setting up the supposed career-defining fight with Manny Pacquiao.
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Manny Pacquiao Asks Everyone to Pray for Errol Spence Jr.
Manny Pacquiao, who stood at 62-7-2, 39 KOs record, also knew the effects of eye damage. When he handed out a beating to Antonio Margarito in 2010, Pacquiao also shattered his orbital bone and inflicted a detached retina in his right eye.
Pacquiao asked everyone to join him in praying for the "full and complete recovery" of Errol Spence Jr. Pacman also thanked God that the physical examination discovered Spence's eye condition before he suffered any further damage.
The Show Must Go on for 'Pacman'
The People's Champ Manny Pacquiao would still challenge for a welterweight title on August 21 in Las Vegas despite the absence of Errol Spence Jr as he would face Yordenis Ugas.
This is the first fight for the 42-year-old Filipino boxer in two years. Manny Pacquiao last fought and defeated Keith Thurman in July 2019 and won the WBA welterweight title.
ESPN's No. 6 ranked boxer at 147 pounds, Ugas, was scheduled to defend his title against Fabian Maidana in the PBC. However, Maidana suffered an injury while sparring Monday and had already withdrawn from the Ugas fight.
Due to the changes in the schedule and the bouts, a new fight would be added to the card to once again make it a four-bout pay-per-view telecast, Sports Illustrated reported.
This article is owned by Latin Post
Written by: Jess Smith
WATCH: Errol Spence Jr. Withdraws From Title Bout With Manny Pacquiao - From CBS Sports HQ
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