MANILA – Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao accepted the challenge of IBF world welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. of United States for a unification bout later this year.
Pacquiao, who personally witnessed Spence’s title defense against Mikey Garcia on Sunday at AT&T Statdium in Arlington, Texas, said he is more than willing to fight the IBF title holder.
“Yes, why not? We’ll give the fans a good fight. I’m so happy to be here at AT&T Stadium and I hope I will be back here soon,” said Pacquiao, who currently holds the WBA welterweight belt.
Spence has earlier said that it will be an honor for him to fight the eight-division world boxing champion following his unanimous decision victory over the overmatched Garcia.
“He’s broken records here before, he’s a legend in the sport and it’d be my honor to fight him next,” said Spence.
If ever the fight will materialized, it will be the second time for the 40-year-old Pacquiao to defend the world championship he won at the hands of Lucas Matthysse on July, 2018.
Pacquiao currently holds a 61-7-2 win-loss-draw ring record, including 39 stoppage wins, while the much younger Spence has unblemished 25-0-0 boxing record, with 21 stoppage wins./PN
