Pacquiao feels reinvigorated ahead of Spence title fight
Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The long layoff may just be what Manny Pacquiao needed heading into his world title showdown with Errol Spence in a bout that could be his toughest yet.
Less than a month away from his keenly-awaited ring return, Pacquiao feels reinvigorated after more than two years of inactivity largely due to the pandemic.
“Two years out of the ring allowed my body to rest. My energy stores are overflowing,” said Pacquiao. “I am so grateful to God that I can still fight at this level against the best and to still have these opportunities at age 42.”
Pacquiao, who turns 43 in December this year, hasn’t been in the ring since his impressive performance against Keith Thurman back in July 2019 when he captured the WBA (Super) welterweight crown.
“I am still amazed that I have won world titles in each decade, going back to the nineties. My fight with Errol Spence is not just a battle between the two best welterweights but between two of the best fighters. There is no “B side” in this fight,” Pacquiao said.
“I have just as much to prove in this fight as Errol does. We are going to bring out the best in each other. It is the type of fight that makes boxing so great.”
The undefeated Spence, who holds the WBC and IBF belts opened as a huge favorite to beat Pacquiao but as the fight nears, the Filipino ring icon is now just a 2-1 underdog.
“Working with Manny never gets old. In fact, it seems like Manny never gets old. And hearing that all the money is coming in on Manny reminds me of the song, The Best Is Yet To Come, because that has been the common thread throughout Manny’s boxing career,” said Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
“I am just so damn proud of Manny for picking Errol Spence for this fight. It’s a real fight and what a great example to set. You want respect? You want to establish a legacy? Look at what Manny and Spence will be doing on August 21. It’s the type of fight that returns boxing to the front page.”
