THE formula used against American Keith Thurman four years ago will be enough to end unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.’s unbeaten streak, according to Manny Pacquiao’s assistant trainer Nonoy Neri.
“We don’t see any quickness in Spence, he’s just relying too much on his size and height,” Neri told BusinessMirror on Sunday.”I think our Senator could hit him hard.”
Pacquiao announced on Saturday morning that he agreed to fight the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council titleholder Spence on August 21 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
BusinessMirror learned that Pacquiao will be earning $5 million from the fight—his first since 2019 when he beat Thurman—on top of his pay-per-view shares. There was also no early announcement if the fight will be open to fans.
“That’s what we’re going to do—use the Keith Thurman game plan against Spence. He is too slow,” Neri said. “Spence is a slow puncher and fights just up front unlike our Senator who goes around his opponent.”
“I think this one is a good fight for the Senator,” he added.
Pacquiao beat Thurman via split decision in July 2019 in Las Vegas to seize World Boxing Association welterweight belt. He was, however, relegated to a champion in recess in January for failing to defend the crown in pandemic year 2020.
Spence, on the other hand, beat Danny Garcia last December 5 via unanimous decision in Texas for his 27th straight victory laced with 21 knockouts.
Neri said the 42-year-old Pacquiao (62-7-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts) needs to build stamina and endurance and pile up on strategy against Spence.