Errol Spence Withdraws From Manny Pacquiao Fight With Torn Retina

Photo Credit: Michael Owens/Getty Images



WBC and IBF Welterweight Champion Errol Spence, Jr. was forced to withdraw from his blockbuster fight with eight-division and former welterweight champion Senator Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, August 21 (Sunday,August 22 Manila time) from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas due to a retinal tear in his left eye.

The 35-year-old WBA Welterweight Champion Yordenis Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) of Cuba will step up to replace Spence and will defend his title against Pacquiao, who won that title when he defeated Keith Thurman in his last fight July 2019. Ugas was preparing to make his first title defense against Fabian Maidana in the co-feature of the Spence-Pacquiao card. Being elevated to the main event against boxing legend Pacquiao means Ugas will get a career-defining fight sooner rather than later. (source: boxingscene.com)

Went to three different doctors all said the same thing I’ll be back for the winner for sure

— Errol Spence (@ErrolSpenceJr) August 10, 2021

"I'm very disappointed that I won't be able to fight Manny Pacquiao on Aug. 21, I was excited about the fight and the event. Unfortunately, the doctors found a tear in my left eye and said I needed to get surgery on it ASAP and that there was no way I could fight with my eye in that condition." said Spence.

I pray for a full and complete recovery for @ErrolSpenceJr.

— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) August 10, 2021

Many boxers wish Errol Spence Jr a healthy recovery 👇 pic.twitter.com/5nGuEuXW1k

— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) August 10, 2021