Staff Reporter.
@AP.
Manny Pacquiao is set for his first fight in two years when he faces WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr in August.
The 42-year-old has not fought since he beat Keith Therman for the WBA welterweight title in July 2019.
He announced on Twitter that he will meet 31-year-old Spence Jr in Las Vegas on 21 August in what would be his 72nd professional fight.
Pacquiao, who is a serving senator in the Philippines, has a 62-7-2 record.
He is aiming to win a world title in a fourth decade after first claiming the WBC flyweight belt in 1998. He has won world titles at eight different weights in his 26-year pro career.
Spence Jr, who has a 27-0 record, claimed victory over Danny Garcia in December in his first fight since a serious car crash in 2019 that left him in intensive care.
Confirming the fight on Instagram, Spence Jr wrote: “Done deal! See y’all in Vegas for the biggest fight of the year.”
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) May 21, 2021
Sean Gibbons, the president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, told ESPN that the fight came together quickly and that Spence was the only opponent for the Filipino senator.
“Many people believe Spence is the best welterweight in the world and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and Pacquiao has never shied away from fighting real fights,” Gibbons said. “He’s not going to make a fool of himself fighting YouTubers or social media guys like Floyd Mayweather is, and he wants to continue his legacy. He’s always fought the best, and he doesn’t want to change now.”
Gibbons was referring to Mayweather’s upcoming exhibition against YouTube star Logan Paul on June 6. Mayweather defeated Pacquiao in 2015 in a long-anticipated bout.
Pacquiao, 42, hasn’t fought since 2019, when he defeated Keith Thurman via split decision to retain the WBA belt he eventually vacated. It is by far the longest layoff of his storied career.
Spence is coming off a victory over Danny Garcia in December to retain the WBC and IBF belts.