BoxRec

Press Release

Eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao takes on undefeated unified WBC and IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. in a blockbuster championship showdown that headlines a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View Saturday, August 21, from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The pay-per-view will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will pit the division’s reigning king against a sports legend that has proven that he is still worthy of his long-held standing in recent years. Spence will look to earn a legacy-defining victory, while Pacquiao seeks one more monumental win to add to his first-ballot Hall of Fame resume.

Both fighters kick off the promotional campaign side by side this Sunday, July 11, when they’ll appear for a live televised press conference on FOX beginning at 5 p.m. ET.

The hour-long program will feature commentary from former opponents Keith “One Time” Thurman and “Showtime” Shawn Porter, who will offer their analysis before Pacquiao and Spence return to their training camps.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, MP Promotions, and Man Down Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through t-mobilearena.com and axs.com.

“This is as big of a fight that can be made in boxing, and the whole world will be watching on FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View August 21,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions.

“Manny Pacquiao is a hero to his nation, a living legend in the ring, and is once again seeking the biggest challenge available to him, as he’s done throughout his career.

Errol Spence Jr. has reigned as the world’s top welterweight for years and will now have a chance to cement further his pound-for-pound credentials in the biggest fight of his career. Whether you’re watching at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas or live on pay-per-view, August 21 is sure to be a memorable night for the sport.”

This will be the fourth FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View headlined by Spence (27-0, 21 KOs), who unified welterweight titles in September 2019 by besting Shawn Porter in one of the best fights of the year.

Spence was launched into stardom when the 31-year-old first captured a welterweight crown by traveling to the U.K. to stop Kell Brook in front of his hometown fans in 2017. He followed up his title-winning victory with triumphs over Lamont Peterson and Carlos Ocampo in 2018.

Fighting out of his native Desoto, Texas, Spence returned to the ring last December for the first time since miraculously surviving a car accident in October 2019.

He was thrown from the vehicle before it crashed. Spence thrilled his hometown crowd at AT&T Stadium by defeating two-division champion Danny Garcia by unanimous decision.

Spence represented the U.S. at the 2012 Olympics before turning pro later that year and scoring knockouts in 10 of his first 12 fights, showing the promise that he would eventually fulfill on the biggest stages of the sport.

“I’ve been waiting on this kind of major boxing event my entire career,” said Spence. “Manny Pacquiao is a boxing legend and future Hall of Famer.

To match skills with him and come out with a victory would be the highlight of my career thus far. I’m coming to win, and he’s coming to win, and that’s what makes for an all-action fight. I can’t wait to step into the ring at T-Mobile Arena on August 21 in what I expect to be an exciting night.’’



After serving two terms as Congressman, Pacquiao was elected to a Philippine Senate seat in May 2016, capturing over 16 million votes nationally.

A three-time Fighter of the Year and the one-time Boxing Writers Association of America’s Fighter of the Decade, Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs), hails from Sarangani Province in the Philippines, is the only sitting Congressman and Senator to win a world title.

Pacquiao’s boxing resume features victories over at least seven current and future Hall of Famers, including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, and Juan Manuel Marquez.

In January 2019, Pacquiao put on a vintage performance against four-division champion Adrien Broner, scoring a 12-round unanimous decision in the 70th match of an illustrious career, marking his first time fighting back in the U.S. in two years.

In his most recent performance, Pacquiao added another Fight of the Year contender to his resume, as he dropped then-unbeaten Keith Thurman in the first round on his way to a decision victory in a memorable action fight in July 2019.

“I am excited to be battling Errol Spence Jr.,” said Pacquiao. “Like me, Errol has an aggressive, all-action style of fighting. Boxing fans watching at T-Mobile Arena or on pay-per-view will be happy with this world championship fight. It is going to be wild!”

If Pacquiao manages to do this - what will this do in terms of his ATG ranking and where will it rank in terms of achievements (not just Pacquiao's list of achievements but boxing in general). Whilst it won't be greatest upset of all time - it is hard to find anything to draw comparisons to it. Had Ali beaten Holmes is only thing I can really compare with it, but I cannot think of example where is happened - quite like this. Been plenty of failed attempts (Roy Jones vs Joe Calzaghe is another one).

Leonard beating Hagler? Don't think it is the same cos Leonard had more seemingly disadvantages than Pacquiao has here. - that win was even bigger than this one.

I can't think of many other examples of fighters turning back the clock when seemingly "finished" to become the considered #1 in the division again - Ali vs Spinks rematch (after Ali looked so poor in the first fight), Vitali Klitchsko beating Samuel Peter after the injuries - but neither Spinks nor Peter are in the same league as Spence.

Pacquiao KO1

If Pacquiao wins this it will have less to do with talent and more to do with cheating his ass off on PED stacks in his home country.

polecateddy wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 11:44 If Pacquiao wins this it will have less to do with talent and more to do with cheating his ass off on PED stacks in his home country.

errol not juicing either?

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 11:44

polecateddy wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 11:44 If Pacquiao wins this it will have less to do with talent and more to do with cheating his ass off on PED stacks in his home country.

errol not juicing either?

I’d imagine he’ll be on some substances, but I’d imagine in terms of experience of what to take and what he can tolerate, I’d think Pacquiao wins that battle.

polecateddy wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 12:23

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 11:44

polecateddy wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 11:44 If Pacquiao wins this it will have less to do with talent and more to do with cheating his ass off on PED stacks in his home country.

errol not juicing either?

I’d imagine he’ll be on some substances, but I’d imagine in terms of experience of what to take and what he can tolerate, I’d think Pacquiao wins that battle.

errol shouldve had plenty of time to find his right mix by now id think

Yall don't half talk some shite

Sebastian Fundora vs Sergio Garcia to reportedly land on August 21st Spence-Pacquiao card

Back in May, Sampson Lewkowicz revealed that towering super welterweight Sebastian Fundora signed to fight former European champ Sergio Garcia on FOX, and now the fight appears to have a home. Spanish boxing site Espabox reports that the two will square off in a WBC eliminator on PBC’s August 21st Errol Spence Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao card.

Reliable Twitter poster Deuce revealed the arrangement earlier this afternoon. According to Espabox, this is the latest of many potential dates, as they’d previously targeted August 7th.

Fundora (17-0-1, 12 KO) is looking to graduate from prospect to contender against Garcia (33-0, 14 KO), who ran roughshod over Ted Cheeseman in his second of four European title defenses back in 2019. Though obviously talented, the Spaniard has been short on quality opposition lately, making this a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Plus, it should be plenty fun.

Whoever wins will likely have next crack at the WBC title after #1 contender Erickson Lubin. Should the winner of Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano this weekend elect to vacate, expect either #4 Fundora or #2 Garcia to face “The Hammer” for the title.

i dont want to see this tbh. whilst manny can still "do it", I'd rather he sail off into the sunset. Or earn a last easy payday vs a khan or brook type.

Manny vs mikey garcia was the fight to make.. Far Far Far more winnable, and a masssive fight. WBA could of had there arm twisted to keep pac super champ for his retirment fight and then the WBC would of put on some "Jewel of the pacific" belt. Could of been a massive 50-50 clash.

That said if pac man wins this fight he is adding another Ace to the hand when he starts getting in GOAT arguments.

Would imagine it will be like Spence - Mikey Garcia fight

The Keith Thurman win was sensational, but Pacquiao can't muster the consistency of his heyday anymore.

Manny is far from a no-hoper, but I'm struggling to picture him beating Spence.

Even a good, competitive performance from Pacquiao will be a moral victory.

Mark Magsayo to face Julio Ceja on August 21st Pacquiao-Spence PPV

Ceja was last seen battling Brandon Figueroa to a draw in 2019

Manny Pacquiao won’t be the only Filipino slugger on PBC’s August 21st pay-per-view. Mike Coppinger, confirming an earlier report from Keith Idec, claims that unbeaten featherweight Mark Magsayo will meet former super bantamweight titlist Julio Ceja before Pacquiao’s clash with Errol Spence.

As Coppinger states, this is a considerable step up for the 26-year-old Magsayo (22-0, 15 KO). “Magnifico” had all sorts of trouble with Rigoberto Hermosillo last October, and while Ceja (32-4-1, 28 KO) is a career 122-pounder who hasn’t fought since a brutal November 2019 split draw against Brandon Figueroa due to COVID scrapping a planned eliminator against Eduardo Ramirez, he’s a proven scrapper with legitimate power.

Less than a month from fight night, there remain two open slots on the four-fight main card. Towering prospect Sebastian Fundora will reportedly face former European champion Sergio Garcia in a super welterweight eliminator, but we’ve yet to receive official confirmation.

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑15 Jul 2021, 17:08 The Keith Thurman win was sensational, but Pacquiao can't muster the consistency of his heyday anymore.

Manny is far from a no-hoper, but I'm struggling to picture him beating Spence.

Even a good, competitive performance from Pacquiao will be a moral victory.

Agree with everything here. No outcome is bad for his legacy here. Taking this fight is only good for his legacy and I hope he comes out unscathed. Such a fearless and one time ferocious fighter. Hats off!

PPV Undercard

Three matchups have been added to the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View undercard headlined by eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao facing unified WBC and IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. on Saturday, August 21 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

WBA Welterweight World Champion Yordenis Ugas will square off against Argentina’s Fabian “TNT” Maidana in the co-main event, while former world champions and all-action brawlers Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and “Vicious” Víctor Ortiz will meet in a 10-round welterweight duel. Kicking off the pay-per-view at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, unbeaten featherweight contender Mark Magsayo battles former world champion Julio Ceja in a 10-round attraction.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, MP Promotions and Man Down Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through t-mobilearena.com and axs.com.

The 35-year-old Ugás (26-4, 12 KOs) has established himself as an elite welterweight since returning from a layoff in 2016, and was elevated to world champion in January after winning a WBA belt by defeating Abel Ramos last September. Ugás, who is from Santiago, Cuba and now lives in Miami, Florida, was on an eight-fight winning streak before losing a narrow split-decision to Shawn Porter in a world title fight in March 2019. The Olympic bronze medalist trains in Las Vegas and owns victories over then undefeated fighters Jamal James, Omar Figueroa Jr. and Bryant Perrella, plus veteran contenders Thomas Dulorme and Ray Robinson.

Born in Santa Fe, Argentina, Maidana (18-1, 13 KOs) will look to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, former two division champion Marcos Maidana, and become the latest Argentine world champion on August 21. The 29-year-old was unbeaten in his first 16 pro fights, capping off that run with a knockout of Andrey Klimov in July 2018. Since dropping a January 2019 decision to Jaider Parra, Maidana has bounced back with a knockout of Ramses Agaton in September 2019 and a 10-round decision victory over Carlos Cordoba in April of this year.

Guerrero (36-6-1, 20 KOs) is a three-time world champion who has won world titles at featherweight and super featherweight, and has fought a stacked lineup of elite fighters, including Floyd Mayweather, during a superb career. The Gilroy, California native returned from a 2017 defeat to Omar Figueroa Jr. to win his last three contests. After stopping Adam Mates in December 2018 and Hevinson Herrera in March 2019, Guerrero most recently won a unanimous decision over Gerald Thomas in September 2019.

Ortiz (32-6-3, 25 KOs), a former 147-pound champion, will return to the ring for the first time since a February 2018 draw against two-division champion Devon Alexander. The 34-year-old native of Garden City, Kansas, who now lives in Ventura, California, has faced some of the top names in the 147-pound division during his career. Ortiz won the welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Andre Berto in April 2011, before losing the title to Floyd Mayweather.

The Filipino sensation Magsayo (22-0, 15 KOs) fights out of Pasig City, Metro Manila and most recently knocked out Pablo Cruz in four rounds in April 2021, following his U.S. televised debut in October 2020 that saw him defeat Rigoberto Hermosillo on FS1. The 26-year-old fights in the U.S. for the fifth time overall on August 21 and against his toughest competition to date in the former champion Ceja. Magsayo owns 12-round decision victories over Shoto Hayashi and Jose Robles Olvera, and a sixth-round stoppage of former title challenger Chris Avalos.

A former super bantamweight champion, Ceja (32-4-1, 28 KOs) will move up to featherweight as he seeks an opportunity to capture a championship in a second division. Ceja's 2019 saw him engage in two action-packed battles, dropping a June contest to former champion Guillermo Rigondeaux and most recently fighting unbeaten super bantamweight champion Brandon Figueroa to a draw in November. The 28-year-old captured his 122-pound title with a stoppage of Hugo Ruiz in 2015, and has also challenged for a bantamweight title throughout his career.

Got a feeling Manny might look shot to bits in this fight. Hopefully not.

I'd think the only way he's not shot to pieces would be the industrial quantities of PEDS he's probably been injected with in the run up to this fight.

No news for UK broadcast yet

polecateddy wrote: ↑03 Aug 2021, 16:45 I'd think the only way he's not shot to pieces would be the industrial quantities of PEDS he's probably been injected with in the run up to this fight.

Agree, 42 years old, 25 year carrer, 106lbs >>> 147, 2 years inactive... For many to win there are a few options. 1, He is a literal god. 2, PEDs. 3, Spence has some weird laggng car crash effects that were not apparent in his last fight.

Bookies have manny as a very live dog. which suggests they might think he is having some youth smoothys.

If this was the Spence of 3 or 4 year ago then I think he’d hammer pac in a tear up. Spence of today seems a little more cautious, he seems to fight longer and use his physicality to get the job done. Not saying he’s a worse fighter for it but I think it’ll mean a less spectacular fight and more of a competitive UD type of fight.

The Spence who fought Peterson would likely give PAC more chances but I reckon he’d off ultimately beat him up bad.

Judge tentatively denies injunction to keep Manny Pacquiao from fighting Errol Spence

Audie Attar's attempt to stop Manny Pacquiao from fighting Errol Spence Jr. has been tentatively denied.

Judge Walter Schwarm, in a tentative ruling on Thursday obtained by ESPN through a court records search, denied Paradigm Sports Management's effort to obtain a preliminary injunction against Pacquiao that would have halted the Aug. 21 welterweight championship fight in Las Vegas.

The official ruling will be handed down Friday morning in Superior Court of California in Orange County. Schwarm made the tentative ruling on the basis that the "evidence demonstrates a low probability of prevailing" in regard to two of the accusations: breach of contract and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

Paradigm claimed that Pacquiao's team brokered the fight with PBC and Spence without Attar's inclusion, despite holding exclusive rights to negotiate the 42-year-old's next two fights. Paradigm is also suing to recoup a $3.3 million advance it said Pacquiao received with the understanding those next two fights would be secured by Attar. No tentative ruling has been made in regard to the money.

"I would have preferred the tentative decision be favorable to us, but I live to fight another day," Attar's attorney, longtime boxing lawyer Judd Burstein, told ESPN.

Pacquiao, boxing's only eight-division champion, signed with Attar's Paradigm Sports Management last year in the hopes of securing a long-discussed boxing match with UFC superstar Conor McGregor, who is managed by Paradigm. (Attar also represents UFC champion Israel Adesanya.)

The fight between Pacquiao and McGregor was being planned for this summer in Dubai, UAE, before McGregor was knocked out by Dustin Poirier in January. Instead, Pacquiao signed to fight Spence in a PBC on Fox PPV at T-Mobile Arena. Spence, the unified 147-pound champion, is ESPN's No. 4 pound-for-pound boxer. His fight with Pacquiao is the biggest of 2021 thus far.

"Paradigm Sports' lawsuit against me has no merit," Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) said in a prepared statement in late June. "I have an absolute right under the agreement with Paradigm to engage in the upcoming bout with Errol Spence. If this frivolous lawsuit continues, I will be proven correct in court."

Pacquiao is a senator in the Philippines, where he still resides, and he is gearing up for a potential presidential run in May against incumbent Rodrigo Duterte. The bout against Spence could be the final of Pacquiao's legendary career, a run that includes wins over Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales. Pacquiao's loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2015 remains the highest-grossing fight of all time.

"Pacman" hasn't competed since a July 2019 decision victory over Keith Thurman, Pacquiao's second fight with PBC.

Pacquiao, ESPN's No. 3 welterweight, has been training in Los Angeles with his longtime trainer, Freddie Roach, in hopes of once again reaching the pinnacle of the sport.