Welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao came together at the weekend for the initial press conference ahead of their big fight for the WBC and IBF titles Spence currently holds.
The event went smoothly and diplomatically, with Pacquiao full of praise for the unbeaten champion he has opted to challenge in what could very well be the former eight-weight world titleholder's final in-ring battle before moving into politics full-time.
When the topic of Floyd Mayweather Jr., the 50-0 retired great who decisioned Pacquiao in 2015, came up with regards to his mentoring of Spence, the Filipino insisted Spence did not need to learn anything from 'Money' Mayweather.
“Errol don’t need to have advice from Mayweather,” Pacquiao stated. “I believe Errol is better than Mayweather. He’s a [better] fighter than Mayweather.
“He could teach Mayweather how to fight toe-to-toe.”
Spence was flattered, but also claimed he would not be fooled by any charm offensive heading into the August 21 clash.
“It is a great compliment,” he responded. “But Manny Pacquiao is the kind of guy that can lull you to sleep.
"He’ll give you a lot of compliments, gratitude and things like that. Then as soon as the bell rings, he’s jumping all on you.
“[As far as the compliments] I will take it.”
In an interview given after the initial presser, Spence spoke of the importance of this megafight for his career and his legacy.
“That’s the biggest name that I would have on my resume and under my belt,” explained Spence during the interview with ESNews. “There’s no bigger name than Manny Pacquiao in the boxing world.”
“It would be huge for Manny Pacquiao to pass the torch to me. Nothing but respect to him but once the bell rings, the respect goes out the door.”