Derrick James update on Errol Spence Jr camp, talks leaked video & Manny Pacquiao

By Boxing News - 08/01/2021 - Comments

By Jim Maltzman: Errol Spence Jr’s trainer Derrick James reports that other than the leaked sparring video, things are going smoothly with him in training for his mega-fight in less than three weeks against Manny Pacquiao on August 21st on FOX PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James was disappointed at hearing about the leaked sparring video that someone posted on YouTube last week of Spence in training.

Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) is putting in hard work training for the fight, as seen in his leaked sparring video. Whoever posted the video had no “integrity,” according to James.

It’s doubtful that Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach paid any attention to the video because it’s not as if they need it.

Spence’s past 27 fights will give Roach more than enough footage for him to pick up his flaws and tendencies.

Pacquiao vs. Spence creating a lot of buzz

“Camp is going good, moving right ahead, working on some stuff and getting better every day,” said trainer Derrick James to ESNEWS on Spence’s preparation for Pacquiao.

Image: Derrick James update on Errol Spence Jr camp, talks leaked video & Manny Pacquiao

“I think there’s a lot of buzz [for the Pacquiao vs. Spence fight]. I said something to somebody, and then when I went to the top page of Google, then whatever I said was on the top page of Google. It’s a big deal.

“I think the world will tune in,” said James when told by the interviewer the Pacquiao vs. Spence fight will bring in 2 million pay-per-view buys. “Everyone wants to see it. Errol has a big fan base, and Manny Pacquiao has a big fan base.

“I think Manny was very selective of his opponents. ‘How do I maximize who I am, and how do I pull other people in?’ I think that’s what he did. It was a business decision,” said James.

The Pacquiao – Spence fight will bring in a lot of buys on FOX PPV on August 21st, but it’s questionable whether it’ll do anywhere close to 2 million buys.

For Spence, it might work against him if his fight with Pacquiao brings in many PPV buys, considering that it could make it tougher to set up a deal with WBO champion Terence Crawford.

Spence would be able to command a wider split with Crawford if his fight with Pacquiao hits 2 million buys, and of course, if he wins.

James reacts to leaked video of Spence

“I saw that before,” said James in reacting to the leaked video of Spence posted on Youtube last week.

Image: Derrick James update on Errol Spence Jr camp, talks leaked video & Manny Pacquiao

“There’s not a lot of integrity in the situation. People don’t care about being right or wrong; they just care about being first.

“People want to see news out there. There’s not a lot of integrity. Nobody cares about the integrity of the fighters.

“They just want to be showing it and sharing it. That’s really what it’s all about. Whatever it is, that’s how they feel about it.

“To ask somebody for something like that? Come on, man,” said James about the person that leaked the video of Spence.

“We’re just going to stay focused and put on a good fight. Pacquiao is coming, we’re going to be there, so it’s going to be a phenomenal fight,” said James.

It would be interesting to know if James has a good idea of who leaked the sparring video. With the video footage coming recently, James should have a pretty good idea who was in the gym that date.

Pacquiao isn’t the type of fighter who would want to look at a leaked video of one of his opponents, and it doesn’t seem like it’s necessary. Spence fights the same way pretty much every time, so it’s not something that would give Pacquiao an edge.