Manny Pacquiao vs Errol Spence Jr: Air time, how to live stream and who fans are betting on to come out on top
If you are a fan of boxing, save August 21 in your calendar. Boxing legend Manny 'PacMan' Pacquiao will take on unified welterweight world champion - Errol Spence Jr. The fight marks Pacquiao's return to the ring after two years away, so it should definitely be an exciting bout.
Unlike the Logan Paul v Floyd Mayweather matchup, this one is expected to be a bit fairer and probably last longer. Pacquiao's return isn't a complete surprise - there have been a lot of rumors in recent months the Filipino champion would return to the ring at some point. Last month, it was reported Pacquiao would face off against Terence Crawford in Abu Dhabi in June, but that deal never emerged. Now we have official confirmation of PacMan's return, in what should be a fun and tough competition. Here's everything you need to know.
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Air time and venue
The two are scheduled to face off on August 21, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The exact location of the fight hasn't been unveiled. According to sources, it could likely be Allegiant Stadium, the home of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders. COVID guidelines permitting, the venue could be packed with fans to see the bout live.
How to live stream?
According to the poster released by Pacquiao, the fight will be available for stream on Fox's PBC channel. It will be a pay-per-view (PPV), so get ready to cough up if you want to watch the two in action. No word on whether it will be available to stream elsewhere at the moment. We'll let you know if there is.
Contenders
Manny Pacquiao
The Filipino boxer is currently serving as a Senator in his home country but hasn't completely given up professional boxing. He reportedly retired in 2016 after a fight against Timothy Bradley that netted him $20 million, but that wasn't to be. In 2019, he was crowned the oldest welterweight world champion, at 40 years of age. Over the course of a long and lucrative career, Pacquiao defeated 22 world champions including Antonio Barrera, Érik Morales, David Díaz, Ricky Hatton and Keith Thurman.
Errol Spence Jr
The current welterweight champion, 31-year-old Spence has held the IBF title since 2017 and the WBC title since 2019. He also represented the US at the 2012 Olympics, reaching the quarter-finals. While his career has been shorter, it has been equally notable. Spence has defeated Javier Castro, Samuel Vargas, Phil Lo Greco and Alejandro Barrera. In 2019, he defeated Shawn Porter with the IBF and WBC welterweight titles on the line. Later that year, he suffered a car crash that sidelined him for 15 months. He returned in December 2020 to dominate Danny Garcia, showing no signs of weakness from the crash.
Who are fans betting on?
With their reputations, both men stand a good chance in the fight. Right now, it seems like a good fight is exactly what Twitter wants, but clearly, all eyes are on PacMan. One person commented, "Manny Pacquiao, at 42 years of age, a full-time Filipino senator, coming off a two-year layoff, has just signed to fight prime champion Errol Spence on August 21st. That’s true greatness, win or lose."
🐐 Manny Pacquiao, at 42 years of age, a full-time Filipino senator, coming off a two-year layoff, has just signed to fight prime champion Errol Spence on August 21st. That’s true greatness, win or lose.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 21, 2021
Another tweeted, "Pacquiao is a legend man, 42 year old and still pushing himself to face the very best after a long lay off." Another claimed, "Pacquiao forever a f----- GOAT. I never was a big fan but this move is the ballsiest shit I’ve seen since Morales switched southpaw on him."
Pacquiao is a legend man, 42 year old and still pushing himself to face the very best after a long lay off. pic.twitter.com/GPafVYgkeF
— ᴊᴛ (@jtnufc) May 21, 2021
Pacquiao forever a fucking GOAT. I never was a big fan but this move is the ballsiest shit I’ve seen since Morales switched southpaw on him
— —_🥑 (@Genteastt) May 21, 2021
"Anytime champions get criticized for not fighting the absolute BEST it’s fearless legends like Pacquiao they are comparing them to" tweeted one. Another proclaimed, "The greatest of all time arguments end if Manny Pacquiao wins in August."
Anytime champions get criticized for not fighting the absolute BEST it’s fearless legends like Pacquiao they are comparing them to. #boxing
— Sergio Mora (@TheLatinSnake_) May 21, 2021
The greatest of all time arguments end if Manny Pacquiao wins in August.
— Walks (@officialwalks) May 21, 2021
While it's not going to be easy, it's clear fans are backing PacMan. But don't count Spence out just yet, as an active boxer, he's got the fitness and reputation to take on Pacquiao. Whoever wins, we are guaranteed one exciting fight.