Manny Pacquiao to face Errol Spence in comeback fight

Manny Pacquiao is set to take on Errol Spence on Aug. 22. John Locher/AP (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--After two years, Manny Pacquiao is making a return to the boxing ring.

The former eight-division world boxing champion announced on Saturday that he will be facing Errol Spence in what would be his comeback bout on Aug. 22 (Philippine Time) in Las Vegas.

Fox Sports, which will be broadcasting the bout, confirmed the development and said that both boxers have already signed the contract for the blockbuster fight.

This will be Pacquiao's first bout since beating Keith Thurman for the World Boxing Association welterweight super title on July 21, 2019 (Philippine Time).

This will also be Pacquiao's second straight bout against an unbeaten opponent since Spence holds a perfect 27-0 record with 21 knockouts.

With Spence staking his World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation belts in the bout, the match would have been for the undisputed welterweight championship if not for the decision of the WBA to strip Pacquiao of his belt due to inactivity.

The Pacquiao-Spence showdown is a match three years in the making as both pugilists expressed their desire to fight each other after Spence defeated Mikey Garcia in 2018.

Pacquiao joined Spence in the ring after the bout.

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