Premier Boxing Champions
Eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao held a media workout Wednesday, as he prepares to take on unified WBC and IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. headlining a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View Saturday, August 21 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Here is what Pacquiao, Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez had to say:
MANNY PACQUIAO
“I’m expecting a good fight. Spence is an aggressive fighter and I know that we can create a lot of action in the ring for all of the fans watching. I have lots of advantages in this fight. My speed and power, along with my strategy and experience, are all advantages for me.
“I never imagined being at this point now, when I started my career. Especially to be here now and still fighting the best. It’s truly a gift that I’ve received.
“It’s been two years since I’ve been in the ring and it was good for me to have that rest. It helped my body and my mind a lot. This time around, I’m as excited as ever and feeling like I’m young again.
“I could have fought several easy opponents. I picked the best opponent because I want to add more to my legacy and accomplishments. I have to prove that I’m not done yet.
“We have a strategy that we know how to use against a southpaw. He wants to fight toe-to-toe and that’s going to be to my advantage. We’re prepared for anything. If he wants to use his reach advantage instead, we are ready.
“My family is so supportive of me, because they know that I want to fight and bring honor to my country. At the same time, I’m also here to show for myself that I can still do it at 42-years-old.
“This could be my last fight, or there could be more. Like I’ve always said, it’s one at a time. After the fight, I’ll talk about the plan and see if there’s another fight coming.
“I’m happy to have been doing this for so long with the same coaching staff. I know that they’re happy with my preparations for this fight. The fire in training is still there. It’s the same as it’s been these last 15 years.
“I know my career will not last forever, that’s why I’m starting to help the young fighters in this sport who want to follow in my footsteps. It’s very important to me at this point in my career.”
FREDDIE ROACH
“We took this fight because we think that Errol Spence Jr. is one of the best fighters out there. I’ve talked with Manny throughout the years and he’s always said that he wants to be the best at what he does. There’s no sense in getting in there with some popular fighter who’s no good. We want to fight the best. I congratulated Many when he chose to fight Errol.
“Being out of the ring for a little while can go either way with someone like Manny. The thing is, he’s working out all the time. He shows me everything that he’s up to when he’s in the Philippines and I just give him little adjustments. When he shows up here, he’s ready to go.
“He had probably his best sparring yesterday, we went ten rounds and he got two knockdowns. It was the old Manny Pacquiao from 10 years ago. He’s not as big of a puncher usually at welterweight, but those knockdowns yesterday were a great boost for him.
“Spence is a good boxer, but he’s a very good puncher. We know that when we get inside, we have to be smart getting back outside. It has to be quick combinations and then out right away.
“I told Manny that knocking down Keith Thurman early gave him a lot of momentum in that fight and I’d like to see that again in this fight. He knows that he has to use his speed to do that. He understands completely what I want.
“Manny Pacquiao has always loved to fight southpaws. He understands how they work and what they want to do. That’s really one of the big reasons we took this fight.
“I think Manny is going to out box Spence. His footspeed is unbelievable and much better than his opponent’s. Spence follows you around and is heavy on his feet. He seems very set to the ground. Manny’s speed will overwhelm him. I’m really happy with the game plan so far.”
BUBOY FERNANDEZ
“I was very excited when I heard about this fight because Errol Spence Jr. is a great fighter. I was only surprised because Manny hasn’t fought in two years. But I knew right away that this is going to be an exciting fight.
“Obviously there is a different Manny because of his age, but his mind is always on the sport. Before we arrived in the United States, we had already been sparring and training in the Philippines.
“The team has been very happy with Manny’s performance in camp. The conditioning is going perfectly and we just need to continue. This is going to be 100% Manny Pacquiao on August 21.
“I can’t decide if this is going to be Manny’s last fight. Only he can decide if he wants to continue his legacy or not. If it were up to me, I’d want him to fight one more time in the Philippines for his people. It’s all up to Manny though.
“I have respect for Errol Spence Jr. He’s a good fighter and a world champion. We know we can’t underestimate him. He’s an intelligent fighter, so we know Manny has to be 100%. I think this is going to end up being a great toe-to-toe fight.”
Props to Manny for taking this fight. I do have a concern for Manny’s advancing age going into the later rounds of the fight. Spence’s youth will be the biggest nemesis for Manny as the fight progresses. I am sure Spence’s team has a game plan to secure points in the early rounds of the fight by keeping Manny out on the end of Spence’s jab coupled with lateral movement. I have noticed Manny has a bad habit of keeping his head up straight when he comes in for a body attack of his opponents while throwing a salvo of punches. The worry is will his age slow those reflexes down where he can’t pull the trigger fast enough to block or slip those counters by Spence as he comes into the pocket? I feel Spence will win by UD.
I think Manny is up for this fight. He has looked after himself and paced his fight schedule to preserve his energy. I still think Spence wins but Errol may need to be at his best in the early rounds.
Manny gonna beat Spence easier than expected…
That’s what I love about boxing…..50/50 chance unless it’s a DQ… Have a great day today!
Scoob:
IMO, the best thing about boxing is that the fight does not have to go the scheduled distance.
Take care.
– Gary G
Gary, well said….
When he doesn’t you will say he was “old”.
I love Manny. He’s done so much good for the sport and for his country. If he fights like he did against Keith Thurman, he has a good chance of beating Spence. Looking forward to seeing this matchup.
Regardless of outcome, Manny has cemented himself as an All Time Great!! Love his comment when asked about Floyd’s comment suggesting Manny took this fight because he needs the money?! Isn’t Floyd always bragging about how much he makes for his so-called bank heists?? Well Floyd, you’re also an all time great, but you have relegated yourself to YouTuber’s you can’t KO and Manny fights for legacy!!!
Don’t be a mark. If he KO’s Logan then he will never be able to get people to buy a fight with Paul WHEN it happens. People like yourself will say “Youtubers’ you can’t KO”… Secondly, the “legacy” argument if foolish. Money and the ability to take care of your family is the only “legacy” that matters. What did “legacy” matter to Joe Louis who died broke even though he fought for his country and was a legendary HW champion of the world? Lastly, Floyd is retired, so he can fight a “Youtuber” for millions.
Struck a fanboy nerve huh?!
Floyd is full of crap and you know it!! Hey Hawn, you can both you know….a great fighter whom also blows through money and be full of crap!! At least Manny has a skill set outside of entertainment unlike illiterate Floyd
Manny has been looking great in training, punching strong and fast and was brilliant in the Thurman fight. However, Manny’s physicality changed and his bone structure looks more frail than ever before. He looks like a 42 yo athlete. Spence keeps a heavy arsenal of hard body punches coming at his opponent and I dont see Manny taking all the punishment Spence can dish. If Manny can pull this off he will be in everybody’s GOAT conversations.
You can’t talk Manny without mentioning Floyd. In 2015, the legendary Floyd Mayweather left the sport and its not the same without him. Manny is along those lines. I will appreciate him while his fights while his time is not yet done. When he retires, he will be the last truly special fighter to go. Some fighters today are good and have potential to be great but Manny like Mayweather are special. Manny is the last of this special breed.
Can you believe it? A Manny and Errol fight just days away, and a sudden cases of Gonad-Weather syndrome pops up. Must be that time of year again.
I’m just glad that boxing is alive and well. That fighters are making their well deserved earnings and that we are having fights on a regular basis again.
Looking forward to a great fight, surrounded by family and friends.
Manny deserves nothing but respect…what 42 year old fighter in history would get in the ring with Spence ?
Pacman will present some problems for Spence… style..awkward angles..hand speed & experience …not saying Manny will win….it will be closer than people think.
Thank you Pacman for more than 20 years of proving you are a warrior.
Good luck to Spence when Manny takes him into deep waters. Dealing with angles coming from everywhere. Spence has never been in a war like whats coming. I think he quits on his stool. Manny is a stronger puncher than Porter.
Best thing to ever happen to Manny; PED’s. Made him a lot of money.
Okay smart guy…You got proof ? otherwise it’s BS