IT WAS 13 years ago when the last time Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao faced a fellow southpaw in the ring. And now, at 42, the eight-division world champion will be facing another left-handed fighter in the name of unified welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr. on August 21 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
But there’s no any issue facing a fellow southpaw or an orthodox at any given place and time for Pacquiao.
“We have a strategy that we know how to use against a southpaw,” Pacquiao told reporters during a media workout organized by the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Thursday at the Wildcard gym in Los Angeles, California after his training session.
The last time he met a southpaw was when he scored a thrilling ninth round technical knockout triumph against American David Diaz last June 28, 2008 to snatch the WBC lightweight belt, turning him as the only Asian fighter in boxing history to win five world titles in five weight classes during that time.
Now, Pacquiao is the only boxer that has already won world titles in eight different weight divisions.
“He [Spence] 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.”
He added that he is expecting the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight titleholder to deliver his best performance in the fight to prove his status as one of the world’s current best pound-for-pound boxers.
“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,” Pacquiao said, adding his speed and power plus the experience and strategy will definitely work in his favor despite the two years ring inactivity due to Covid-19 pandemic.
“My speed and power, along with my strategy and experience, are all advantages for me,” Pacquiao added. “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.”
Freddie Roach, the long-time trainer and now his fight consultant, agrees the fighting style of Spence (27-0 record with 21 knockouts) is tailor-fit for Pacquiao (62-7-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts) inside the ring.
“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,” Roach said “I think Manny is going to out box Spence. His foot speed is unbelievable and much better than his opponent’s. Manny’s speed will overwhelm him.”
GMA Network to air Pacquiao-Spence fight
GMA Network, in partnership with TAP Digital Media Ventures Corp., is all set to air the much anticipated fight between Pacquiao and American Spence Jr. for the IBF and WBC welterweight titles on Sunday (August 22 Philippine time).
Pinoy fans can watch the boxing showdown, which is slated to happen in Las Vegas, Nevada, via satellite on GMA 7 at 11:00 AM. Radio listeners, meanwhile, can catch the live blow-by-blow coverage exclusively on the Network’s flagship AM station Super Radyo DZBB 594 and in all Super Radyo stations nationwide beginning 9:00 AM.
A replay of ‘Pacquiao vs. Spence Jr.: Generational Showdown’ will be aired on the same day at 10:30 PM on GMA.
For more updates, visit GMA Network’s official website at www.gmanetwork.com.
Image courtesy of Ryan Hafey