Errol Spence vs Manny Pacquaio Preview

Boxing fans will be in for a treat when Errol Spence Jr and Manny Pacquaio square up against each other and touch gloves in the center of the ring on August 21, 2021.

The duo are amongst some of the most respected fighters within the entire sport, therefore the contest between the pair would have many excited about what it may bring, despite the fact that the experienced Philipino fighter is 11 years older than the American.

For Pacquaio, it will be his first boxing match for two years and there will be many within the sport that will feel the former eight-weight division champion will come up against a foe that will have too much for him and hand him just his eighth defeat of a stellar professional career.

For Spence Jr, though, it could be another huge boxing name to add to his undefeated record so far, as the 31-year-old looks to keep ahold of the WBC and IBF welterweight titles he currently has, whilst also looking to add the vacant The Ring welterweight title to his collection, as well.

Fight Records

Naturally, with a boxing career that has almost lasted the duration of Spence Jr’s life, Pacquaio is one highly experienced fighter and a man that has been able to dominate the sport across a number of different divisions throughout his professional career.

A senator for the Phillippines and known as ‘Pac Man’ in the ring, the Asian boxer has managed to compete in 71 fights so far in his career - with some suggesting that his bout with the American potentially being his last - and has managed to record statistics of 62 wins, 7 defeats and 2 draws, including 39 of his wins coming by way of knockout.

However, as mentioned earlier in the full article of this preview, Spence Jr is yet to taste defeat and is argued to be one of the greatest boxers in the welterweight division for some time; perhaps since Pacquiao was in his prime.

Known as ‘The Truth’, the Texan has only had 27 professional fights in this career prior to his huge bout that is highly anticipated and has won each of them, with 21 of the wins recorded having come via way of knockout.

Tale of the Tape

Whilst the experience factor can always be used as a positive for someone to be considered a favourite when looking at who might win a fight, it is also incredibly important to take a look at the Tale of the Tape between the two fighters, whilst also looking at what they have both managed to recently achieve.

As outlined, despite the fact he is a former eight-weight division champion, ‘Pac Man’ has not fought a fight for two years, with his last bout being a win against Keith Thurman for the WBA (Super) welterweight title after 12 hard rounds in July 2019, whilst Spence Jr last fought in December 2020 against Danny Garcia, where he retained his WBC and IBF welterweight titles after 12 rounds.

Pacquaio is three inches smaller than Spence Jr, as he stands at 5” 6’ compared to the American’s 5” 9’ frame, therefore meaning he will have to work harder and get closer to his opponent.

Betting Favourite

Obviously, there will be different sportsbooks and bookmakers continuing to provide different odds on the outcome of the fight, although many are all appearing to back one man when the bout in Las Vegas, Nevada, takes place: Spence Jr.

Many see the American the betting favourite for this contest, largely down to the skill he possesses, perhaps the youth he has on his side compared to the veteran, whilst he is also fresher and is currently a double welterweight winner.