Next week, Manny Pacquiao takes on his biggest test in years when he battles current unified WBC/IBF welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr.
Is This His Last Fight?
That’s the question surrounding the eight-division boxing world champion and Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) as he prepares for a stiff challenge against a guy who could quickly send him into permanent political duties.
2 WEEKS TO GO! #PacquiaoSpence pic.twitter.com/cV7QT9RZZd
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) August 8, 2021
According to his head trainer, Freddie Roach, it might not be.
“Manny isn’t training this hard to say goodbye. It’s to prove he’s still here,” said his Hall of Fame trainer of 20 years, Freddie Roach.
The 42-year-old began his final week of training camp, at the Hollywood, California-based Wild Card Boxing Club, for his August 21 challenge of undefeated Spence.
The biggest test of @MannyPacquiao's training camp at world-famous @FreddieRoach's @WildCardBoxing1 is today. Twelve rounds of sparring followed by full workout. We are 14 days away from the #Boxing event of the year – #PacquiaoSpence. @TGBpromotions @PBConFOX @premierboxing pic.twitter.com/6uHRCbeLa9
— Fred Sternburg (@TooFred) August 7, 2021
“Manny doesn’t need to play his golden oldies. He is still producing new hits,” said Roach. “He hasn’t cut one corner in training camp. Not one. He runs up the hills in Griffith Park straight to the Hollywood sign. He crunches thousands of sit-ups daily. He spars three days each week and hits every bag on the gym floor with bad intentions every day.”
Spence (27-0, 21 KOs), who is 11 years younger, over four inches taller than Manny, is, in his prime, is arguably Manny’s biggest fight. Manny enters this battle riding a historic string of welterweight title victories over Lucas Matthysse, Adrien Broner, and Keith Thurman, which resulted in Manny, at age 40, becoming the oldest man to win a welterweight world championship belt.
Age is just a number. 👊🏼#PacquiaoSpence pic.twitter.com/PQPUbd4g10
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) August 5, 2021
Manny’s last three opponents boasted a combined record of 101-7-1 (82 KOs) — a winning percentage of 93% with a victory by knockout ratio of 81% — when Manny defeated them. One of boxing’s most beloved warriors, Manny has held a world title every decade, going back to the nineties.
“He is still the hardest worker I have ever trained and an eager student. He wants this one more than anything. Philippine politics might influence when Manny hangs up his gloves. Maybe this is Manny’s last fight. But this summer, he has been training for his greatest victory, and for Manny, that is saying something. It’s the stuff that greatness is made of.”
Manny, who hails from Sarangani Province in the Philippines, is the one-time Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Decade and three-time Fighter of the Year.
The Pacquiao-Spence world championship event headlines a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View, Saturday, August 21, from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
