Ring legend Manny Pacquiao began his first U.S. training camp in nearly two years today and it seemed like he picked up right where he left off when he dethroned WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman on July 20, 2019, tagging the defending champion with his first loss. One day removed from arriving from the Philippines,
Manny began the day with a five-mile morning run and 1,000 sit-ups. Before heading to Wild Card Boxing Club, in Hollywood, for his afternoon training session with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, Manny was given a random drug test from VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) at his house. Once at Wild Card, Manny and Freddie began the nearly three-hour gym session with nine rounds on the mitts, with each punch exploding like a July 4th firecracker.
Manny and undefeated WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence will meet in a blockbuster championship showdown that headlines a FOX Sports pay-per-view on Saturday, August 21 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“If this is how Manny hits with jet lag, I may need to get new gloves with thicker padding for our next sessions,” said Freddie. “He was incredibly sharp for his first day. He hit hard with good power. After all these years, I’m still amazed at the great condition he’s in when he comes to training camp. After traveling around the world yesterday, he put in a full day here – mitts, speed bag, shadow boxing – the works. The best part was at the end when he lifted his shirt to show me his six-pack and said, Freddie, I’m still here.”
“Errol Spence is a very difficult fight for me; perhaps the most difficult of my career,” said Manny. “But I have been an underdog my whole life. I am used to that. It is why I work so hard. But the love and the prayers of my fellow Philippine citizens and Filipinos around the world sustain and inspire me. I fight for the glory of our nation and for underdogs everywhere.”
Welcome back Manny. You have been missed.
Word.
Anyone who says Manny has NO chance against Spence is a hater. Manny easily beat Keith Thurman and will shock everyone when he dethrones Spence.
Manny is no slouch, but I fear his advancing age may be something to examine. Spence has youth governed by exceptional reflexes. Manny still has speed, but not like years ago. Spence will use his reach and lateral movement against Manny to offset the power punches coming down the middle. I am tilting toward Spence to take this fight. Hmmm, Spence on a split decision. You know me, I am cool to admit if and when I am wrong.
Scoobs: right on. Great assessment. U cld be right on the dot unfortunately. Im kinda pulling for Manny but I like spence as well and i think spence has this one
Thanks for the input Tony.
Since Manny has made his training preparations, Errol is near the tail end and is leaving absolutely NO STONE UNTURNED. I feel that at the sound of the bell, Errol is going to give Manny UNEXPECTED HELL!!!
Manny being a Southpaw like Spence might play a huge factor, and I think most people are missing that fact. Both have never fought Southpaws like each other. I expect some early headbutts and possibly game changing cuts. And I also think they will both struggle with their timing. I agree with Spence taking a close decision win.
Scooby Doo, I think at this point it’s manny winning until age catches up to him.
Whetto, very true. However, we do know that some fighters turn old in one fight as well. We will see fight night.
Whetto n Scoobs: If and that is a big IF Manny can adapt his stye to his age, he may be able to last much longer than expected. Take Hopkins for example. Mannys a genius in the ring. He has all the experience in the world BUT he loves to put on a show and that makes him susceptible to a vicious counter. A selfish part of me wld love to see Manny take both Spence and Crawford off their throne’s. Even though i do like Spence
I agree the boxing world would be a huge talk fest if Manny could derail Crawford and Spence. However, this is 2021 and not years ago when Manny’s reflexes and testosterone levels were naturally high for a stellar athlete. Time is really against him I feel in this case. Spence’s youthfulness will be very visible in this fight. What do I mean? Since Spence is young, he will be to adapt faster to any changes in the fight and his counters will be more aggressive when Manny makes any errors. Spence knows the world is watching and he wants to be the guy to end that famous era of Manny. Have a great evening.
Scoobs: yea man, i can definitely agree with ya on that..
I don’t think Spence is the same fighter after that crash. In his first fight back he was off, no real engagement. We will see but this fight could make Manny the greatest ever.
I like Manny and am definitely not a hater, but I gotta go with Spence on this one though. Spence is too young, too fast, along with a high boxing IQ. I’m not sure how much the accident has slowed him down, if at all. I can only assume it has. Pacquiao is just a freak of a human being though and older fighters have a way of turning back the clock for big fights. He’ll be competitive, but I think Spence will show a lot of poise and patiently pick his shots and effectly counter punch in the early rounds and will control the fight from the 7th round on and win by close but unanimious decision.
Kris: Also a great analysis!!! Man, the more I read everyone’s take in this fight, the more anxious I get for this fight to happen!
Yes, keep in mind many fans and experts felt Spence should not have taken the Garcia fight coming off the accident. However, when the bell rang, Spence looked real good and proved many wrong. We are all used to Manny being who he is, but in this case, the focus to me is about youth vs advancing age at a championship level. Youth prevails.
Yes,manny will knock out Spence in 6 rds..
Never count out Manny because he will have world support.
Just out of curiosity, do the fighters have to go through VADA testing?
No, it is voluntary, which is the V (Voluntary) Anti Doping Association. But if a fighter is committed to keeping the sport clean, they should not hesitate to sign up for it.
As much as I supported and enjoyed watching Pacquiao through the years, this is not good him fighting Spence. Pacman turned 42 in Dec, his last fight was two years ago. Even though he is fit and looks good in training an old fighter does not have their timing and balance right in the fight. All the best nevertheless.
Well said Sir…My comment above reflects the same thoughts.
It’s not a good fight for Manny and I like him by the way….Spence is not Thurman and I see Spence take
the advantage around round 5 and winning by TKo around round 9 possibly with Freddie Roach throwing the towel…..
I agree, Spence will win, but I have him on a split decision.
If Danny Garcia and Mikey Garcia took Spence the distance with neither one ever in danger of a KO, I think Manyy will go the distance also. I favor Spence because of his work rate and physical strength against Manny’s age. I am not writing Manny off. He is still very quick, hits very sharp, has a wealth of experience. A key could be Spence not dropping levels when he punches to the body. He stays erect and shoots the body shots, leaving himself open to over hand counters. That is why Porter gave him fits. Perhaps he has closed this hole in his game. If Manny cracks him one on the button because of this, he could hurt Spence and keep him honest. Spence should box manny from the outside as he did Mikey Garcia.
Manny last hurrah…upset
If manny win….he should challenge mayweather to a 2nd fight. A real fight and shut his
According to tyrant PAC hater Rodrigo Duterte, Manny pulled out of the fight….. doesn’t look like it Rodrigo ♂️
Because Manny enrolled under VADA guidelines by getting tested at his house, I am 100% sure Spence, Jr. (Spence) will do the same. It appears both fighters enrolled under VADA guidelines (good deal).
Manny will have to find a way to overcome Spence’s stiff, long jab. Manny must commit to his own jab with more consistency and authority. To minimize/avoid Spence’s murderous body attack, Manny must find a way to keep Spence on the outside/off balance with his own right hooks and with movements/angles.
Manny has to avoid lowering his hands to avoid/minimize Spence’s hooks (both hands). There is a strong possibility a larger Spence will get in the pocket, so Manny must work on his inside game while trying to stay off the ropes. At times, Spence will fight front foot heavy, so Manny must responsibly time his right hooks and left hand while avoiding Spence’s counters. As Spence approaches the inside, Manny will have chances with his counters.
Manny must do a lot of things perfectly against Spence, but I believe Manny’s movements, timed aggression and angles are the initial keys to keeping Spence at bay and hesitant. Keeping Spence at bay and hesitant will allow Manny to present his offense with smart pressure/aggression. IF Manny can make it through the 12th round, you never know how judges may see things in Manny’s favor.
However, at this time, I favor Spence to win by UD. Manny has too many mountains to climb against Spence, Jr.
E-man: Great analysis!!!! I think ur right on point bud! I wld love Manny to take this one but I have a bad feeling about it. Either way, we are the real winners getting to see this fight! Congrats to both for making it happen
You either run for your life like Thurman or box slick like Floyd to beat Manny. If your as stiff as Spence your done. Getting hit by Manny is like getting into 3 car crashes at once. Its a good fighter vs a legend.
Truth. Spence is on his way out. Too many power shots coming at him from all angles.