Spence targets Pacquiao for 2021
Manny Pacquiao tops the priority list of just about everyone in the talent-laden welterweight division.
American Errol Spence is the one most vocal about getting it on with the Filipino eight-division champion even though he has to clear a major roadblock before 2020 ends.
Spence, the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) titleholder, meets Danny Garcia, the World Boxing Council titlist, on 5 December.
But Spence (26-0 with 21 KOs) is already drooling over the prospects of clashing with Pacquiao, the World Boxing Association (WBA) ruler, knowing it is a matchup fight fans would love to see.
“He’s on his way out, so I’d love to have that fight,” said Spence, 30, who is eleven years younger.
Of course, Spence isn’t belittling the fellow southpaw Pacquiao.
Spence simply wants to say that Pacquiao is nearing retirement and he won’t pass up being in the ring with somebody he labels as “a living legend.”
Pacquiao (62-7-2 with 39 KOs) hasn’t fought since lifting the WBA 147-lb belt from erstwhile undefeated Keith Thurman in Las Vegas in July 2019.
A few weeks ago, talks about Pacquiao colliding with mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor surfaced but owing to the pandemic and other logistics, it could not be established if it can take place the soonest.
He’s on his way out, so I’d love to have that fight.
Still, Pacquiao swears he would welcome battling McGregor in the ring although several issues have to be ironed out.
But if the McGregor showdown doesn’t materialize, Pacquiao can still turn to Spence, whose last appearance was a hard-fought victory over one-time Pacquiao sparring partner Shawn Porter in September 2019.
But Spence figured in a horrific road accident two weeks after the fight and was forced to recover.
Whether Spence can fulfill his wish of meeting Pacquiao will be known after he deals with the dangerous Garcia.