Pacquiao: I’m stronger, faster

Vegas fight with Spence set August 21

MANILA, Philippines — It was early yesterday morning, at about 5:30 Manila time, when Sen. Manny Pacquiao declared he’s stronger and faster than WBC/IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence in an overseas phone conversation with writer Lance Pugmire as the super WBA titleholder-in-recess confirmed the blockbuster duel will take place, likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, on Aug. 21. The 72,000-seat Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders football team, is another option for a venue.

Spence, 31, won the IBF belt in 2017, made three successful defenses then unified the IBF and WBC titles on a split 12-round decision over Shawn Porter two years later. In December last year, he retained both titles on a unanimous 12-round verdict over Danny Garcia to raise his unblemished record to 27-0, with 21 KOs. Pacquiao, 42, hasn’t fought since flooring defending super WBA welterweight king Keith Thurman once enroute to wresting the crown on a split 12-round decision in Las Vegas in July 2019. “I’m not worried about (ring rust) because a long layoff is good for me after being in boxing for 25 years,” Pacquiao told Pugmire. “It’s good to rest. It’s given my body a chance to recover.”

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said within 48 hours, the fight was sealed by promoter Tom Brown who was in close contact with Pacquiao’s lawyer Tom Falgui and assistant David Sisson throughout the brief negotiations. Premier Boxing Champions CEO Al Haymon played a key role in making it happen. “It came down to real money, a real date and a real fight,” said Gibbons. “The Senator’s next fight could’ve been against Conor McGregor but he was knocked out. There was talk about Mikey Garcia and even Terence Crawford. Nothing came out of nothing until this came along. This is the real thing. Is Spence a dangerous opponent? Of course but like the Senator said, he’s stronger, he’s faster and that’s why he’ll win.”

Gibbons said this is a legacy fight for Pacquiao who mentioned this might be his last. The plan is to initially train in Manila then move to the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles in July. “The Senator has never ducked anybody,” continued Gibbons. “He’s not the type to fight a YouTuber or a kickboxer in Japan just for money. He loves challenges. I remember he went from being -200 to +200 in preparing for Thurman, from an underdog to the favorite because he worked hard in the gym to get ready. That’s who he is. Thurman felt his power and Spence will feel it, too. Against Adrien Broner, the Senator was in cruise control but against Thurman, he was the real deal. The Senator knows what he’s up against and once Spence feels his power, he’s going down with the Senator standing right in front of him.”

Gibbons said WBO bantamweight champion JohnRiel Casimero will fight regular WBA titleholder Guillermo Rigondeaux in a Showtime card on Aug. 14, a week before Pacquiao takes on Spence in a Fox pay-per-view event. “It’ll be history in the making for the Philippines,” said Gibbons. “Las Vegas has reopened, the casinos are full again, vaccination’s in full swing, no masks required. First, Casimero then the Senator. Double victory’s coming up.”