By Doug Gillen: Errol Spence Jr replied back to Manny Pacquiao on social media last Saturday night after the Filipino star congratulated him for his decisive 12 round unanimous decision over Danny Garcia (36-3, 21 KOs) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
WBA Super World welterweight champion Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) is one of the leading options for Spence’s next fight when he returns in 2021.
Spence wants the fight right away, but it’ up to Pacquiao if he’s ready to return against him or if he prefers to face another opponent.
Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) showed all his doubting critics that he’s fully back from his car crash from 2019 in going to war with the biggest puncher in the division Danny ‘Swift’ Garcia, and beating him by a 12 round decision. The scores were 116-112, 116-112, and 117-111.
Pacquiao congradulates Spence
“Welcome back, Errol Spence Jr. Congratulations on your victory,” said Manny Pacquiao.
“Thanks, Buddy,” said Errol in responding to Pacquiao.
We could see Pacquiao and IBF/WBC welterweight champion Spence and Pacquiao go at it next year, as this is arguably the last chance for that fight to happen.
Pacquiao will be turning 42 on December 17th, and he cannot afford to wait until 2022 for him to fight Spence. Manny will be too old by that point, and he could end up getting knocked out by him if he faces him at that point.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum will be trying hard to make a fight between WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford and Pacquiao next year, and he could potentially make that fight.
Arum will likely make a substantial offer Pacquiao’s way to stage the fight with the unbeaten Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs) in the Middle East, as long as he can find a host country that wants to show it.
Arum must give Crawford a premier fight in 2021 if he’s to have any shot at re-signing him when his contract expires in October of next. The two fights that Crawford, 33, wants are with Pacquiao and Spence.
Spence has several advantages over Crawford for him to get a fight against Pacquiao:
- Premier Boxing Champion
- Prefers to brawl
- Doesn’t use a lot of movement
- PPV fighter
Crawford is a counter puncher, who switches stances frequently, and he’s someone that could potentially use movement against Pacquiao.
With Pacquiao about to turn 42, the last thing he needs at this age is an opponent like Crawford that he would need to chase around the ring for 12 rounds.
Crawford could potentially choose to stand and brawl with Pacquiao, but there’s always the possibility that he’ll get on his bike, especially if he’s struggling.
Spence didn’t want to box Danny Garcia
“I do much better when I box, but the s*** is just boring to me,” said Spence in explaining why he didn’t make it look easier against Garcia.
“Much respect to Danny Swift coming to Dallas to fight me. Nothing but respect for you,” said Spence..
“Good. I could easily out-box [Shawn] Porter if I wanted to,” said Spence when asked how Danny Garcia compares to Shawn Porter. “I came in there wanting to fight him.
“Everybody sees when I box, I look good. Everybody I box, I outpoint them. Sometimes a part of myself just wants to fight, and that’s what I did with Shawn. I could easily box Shawn.
“I don’t know. I’d probably still fight,” said Spence when asked if he’d box Porter in a rematch. I feel good after this great showing. I’m going to keep working and stay focused and stay on my grind. Hopefully, I’ll be back sooner than later,” said Errol.
Had Spence chosen to box Garcia last night, he wouldn’t be getting much praise from boxing fans today compared to what he’s getting.
It was a lot more interesting to watch with Errol fighting Garcia’s fight than if he stayed on the outside and picked the shorter fighter off with single shots for 12 rounds.
Spence made the right decision by choosing to fight with Garcia in a brawling style, as boxing fans worldwide prefer to watch fighters that go toe-to-toe rather than fight on the outside.
That’s why fighters like Canelo Alvarez, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Anthony Joshua are so popular. They go to war with their opponents and entertain.