Prospect calls out Pacquiao after stopping Algieri

MANILA, Philippines – Even in retirement, Manny Pacquiao is still a hot target among contenders.

The latest prospect to call the Filipino icon out is 26-year-old Errol Spence Jr., who announced his entry into the welterweight division with an impressive fifth-round knockout of former Pacquiao opponent Chris Algieri.

The undefeated Spence (20-0, with 17 knockouts) floored Algieri thrice in a lopsided match that led to a referee stoppage. It was something Pacquiao failed to do when he took on Algieri in 2014 in Macau despite decking the American six times.

Now, Spence wants a crack at other welterweight stars, especially Pacquiao, who recently announced his retirement after dominating Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas last week.

“I think I’m in the top five (of the welterweight division),” Spence said in a boxingscene.com report.

“I proved that I’m there with Keith Thurman and Amir Khan and Shawn Porter and Manny Pacquiao. I put on a performance that Manny Pacquiao didn’t do and Amir Khan didn’t do. They didn’t stop Chris Algieri,” added the prospect, whose nickname is “The Truth”.

Although he acknowledged Pacquiao’s power, Spence criticized the Filipino for his inferior boxing skills.

“It goes back to what my coach said, ‘Manny Pacquiao – he’s a hard puncher. He’s quick but he lacks fundamentals,'” Spence said.

Pacquiao owes his success in the ring to his unique combination of power and speed. He, however, is known to struggle against boxers who can move well and counter.

It’s a skill set Spence believes he has.

“And that’s what I’m big on. I’m big on fundamentals because I can cut off the ring. I can vary my punches. That’s something Manny Pacquiao can’t do,” said Spence.