By: Hans Themistode
Normally stern and with a stony face, Errol Spence Jr couldn’t help smiling as Manny Pacquiao wrote his name in the dash.
Having watched Pacquiao fight as a youngster, Spence Jr believes a future first Hall of Famer vote match is definitely what he needs to take his career to the next level.
With this matchup officially ending on August 21, 2021, Spence Jr spent a grueling eight-week camp to prepare to face the former world player of eight teams. But when Spence Jr.’s time at camp. As it began to pass, he received heartbreaking news.
With just a week to go before facing the most notable opponent of his career, Spence Jr was informed that he would not be able to participate due to a partial detachment of his retina on his right side. So, with the Dallas native officially forced to withdraw, Yordenis Ugas, the current WBA welterweight champion, was called in.
A dejected Spence Jr watches from his palatial mansion as Ugas rattles round after round into the night. With every second that passed, Spence Jr could only shake his head in disgust as Pacquiao missed with frantic punches and often paid the price when Ugas delivered countless blows to the body then, 42 years old.
In the end, the fused heavyweight star grew up to live with the lost opportunity. However, after witnessing Ugas being defeated and taken to the Family Hall in the future, Spence Jr believes Pacquiao will have to endure a blow like no one can face him.
“Watching Pacquiao fight, I was like a man, I should have been,” Spence Jr said in an interview with Brian Custer on ShowTime Sports. “God, I could have hurt this man. I’m like damn but that’s what it is. ”
Now that Spence Jr has fully recovered from his eye injury, he’ll be looking to end Ugas’ momentum. The pair will compete in a three-belt unification in less than two weeks on April 16, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
