Pacquiao could fight Spence next

In the absence of a clear indication from Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao just might settle for Errol Spence Jr. as his next foe.

It may not necessarily be the big blockbuster fight the 40-year-old Pacquiao is chasing this late in his career, but it will prove that the Filipino global superstar is ready to take on anybody.

Pacquiao was at ringside Saturday evening and saw for himself how Spence scored a convincing decision over Mikey Garcia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

When Spence invited him to the ring after the fight, for possible square off in July, Pacquiao gamely quipped “Why not? We will give the fans a good fight.”

“I’m so happy to be here in Dallas and I’m hoping I will be back here soon,” added Pacquiao.

Spence said: “He (Pacquiao) is a legend of the sport. He’s broken records here before, it would be my honor to fight him next.”

Mayweather was also there and had a brief encounter with Pacquiao.

The meet-up only added to the buzz surrounding the prospects of a rematch, which at this point could be the biggest thing in boxing.

Mayweather triumphed in their clash on May 2015, a victory by unanimous decision before the Filipino later on admitted to fighting with an injured shoulder.

Pacquiao earlier said he would like to fight either May or July with whoever his promotions outfit Premier Boxing Champions puts in front of him.

Spence is just one of the many young, skillful and hungry welterweights around wanting a piece of Pacquiao in a megabuck fight.

Also in that list are WBO champ Terence Crawford, WBC titlist Shawn Porter and WBA super champion Keith Thurman.

Spence successfully retained his IBF crown over Garcia via a unanimous decision. Judges scored the 12-round bout 120-107, 120-108, 120-108.

Pacquiao is the WBA regular champion, having wrested it from Lucas Matthysse last July in Kuala Lumpur, and defended it over Adrien Broner last January.