Errol Spence: At this point, I’m better than Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao may have hung up his gloves for good but it couldn’t be helped when his name still pops up on headlines and press conferences.
Such is the case during the press conference of Errol Spence Jr., the unified IBF and WBO welterweight champion, and Yordenis Ugas, the super WBA titlist, where the former made mention of Pacquiao’s name when asked how he’s going to fare against the Cuban foe who took down the Filipino boxing legend.
“This is going to be a great fight. Ugas, like I said, he always comes to fight,” said Spence. “With all respect to Pacquiao, I’m a way different fighter than Pacquiao. I feel like at this point right now, I’m a better fighter than Pacquiao.”
It would be recalled that Spence was supposed to fight Pacquiao last August 2021 but the American champion was forced to pull out of the match and eventually underwent eye surgery.
Ugas, for his part, stepped up in replacement of Spence and showed his worth by scoring a unanimous decision win against Pacquiao to retain the super WBA belt — which was originally owned by the Filipino icon himself.
“Y’all keep bringing up Pacquiao but that’s like, y’know. Larry Holmes fighting [Muhammad] Ali, or Terry Norris beating Sugar Ray Leonard, or Marcos Maidana beating up Morales. Like Pacquiao’s way past his prime,” added Spence, who has an undefeated record of 27 wins with 21 knockouts.
“I’m just gonna put up a great performance. Like I said, he’s a great fighter. He’s gonna fight. Ugas is a real warrior but I’m hungry too. I’m not letting this opportunity pass by me either.”
While Spence, 32, and Ugas, 35, are set to unify their welterweight titles on Apr. 16 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Pacquiao, a senator in the Philippines, is busy making rounds around the country for his Presidential campaign.
Pacquiao, 43, officially announced his retirement from boxing and left with a 62-82 record on top of 39 KOs last Sept. 29 to pursue the highest political seat, marking his bout against Ugas as his swan song.
