SEN. Manny Pacquiao yesterday (Sunday in the US) paid Errol Spence Jr. the ultimate compliment, saying the undefeated world welterweight champion is better than his former tormentor, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“Errol probably won’t need advice from Mayweather. I believe that Errol is better than Mayweather. I think he would teach Mayweather how to fight-to-toe,” Pacquiao said in a well-attended press conference at the Fox Sports studio in Los Angeles.
Pacquiao, who like Spencer looked sharp in a business suits, is expected to get a mouthful from Mayweather, who frustrated him in their May 2, 2015 clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao and Spence will clash for the undefeated American’s World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation welterweight championships on Aug. 21 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Spence, who has won all of his 27 fights, 21 by knockout, was earlier asked by the host if Mayweather had reached out to him.
“He hasn’t reached out to me yet. But definitely he has reached out to me in past fights. He said he is going to reach out. He probably will,” the world champion replied.
Spence also acknowledged Pacquiao’s “compliment” with a grain of salt, saying: “It is a kind of a compliment. But just as I said, Manny Pacquiao is the kind of guy who will lull you to sleep. He will give a lot of compliments and gratitude and things like that. But as soon as the bell rings, he will be jumping right all over you.”
With his sterling reputation on the line, Pacquiao, 42, admitted the younger and taller Spence, 31, posed a huge challenge.
“Errol Spence is an aggressive fighter. He’s undefeated, young, dedicated to his career. He is not an easy opponent. He is a kind a fighter you do not underestimate, never
underestimate,” the Pinoy ring icon, who sports a record of 62 wins (39 KOs), seven losses and two draws, said.
Pacquiao added: “I want a real fight. I want to give a good fight to the fans. Boxing is my passion.”
He said his more than two-year layoff might have been a blessing in disguise “since I have been continuously fighting since I was 12. I think it gave my body time to heal and recover.”
Pacquiao hasn’t fought since wresting the WBA super welterweight crown from erstwhile undefeated Keith Thurman with a split decision triumph on July20, 2019 at the MGM Grand Arena.
Due to his inactivity, the WBA stripped the fighting lawmaker of his crown, and an appeal to have it reinstated was turned down over the weekend by the Panama-based boxing body.
