Many names have been mentioned as Manny Pacquiao's next opponent.
Ryan Garcia, Mikey Garcia, Conor McGregor, and Keith Thurman have expressed their interest in taking on the sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer and boxing's only eight-division world champion. No more names have to be mentioned.
On Friday afternoon, Pacquiao took to Twitter to announce that he'll be taking on IBF and WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday, Aug. 21 in Las Vegas. Sources close to the situation confirmed the information to DAZN News. The same sources said Allegiant Stadium, the home of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders, is the possible venue to stage the fight.
By the time the fight occurs, it will be the first time the 42-year-old Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) has fought since knocking down Thurman in the first round and ended up winning via split decision to claim the WBA (super) welterweight title. COVID-19 struck in early 2020 and derailed the future Hall of Famer’s plans to make a return. Because of that, the WBA decided to strip Pacquiao of the belt due to "inactivity".
After winning the WBC title via split decision over Shawn Porter in one of the best fights of 2019, Spence got into a horrific automobile accident that forced him to be on the shelf for nearly 15 months. Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) returned in December and showed no ill effects from the wreck to dominate Danny Garcia from start to finish to win a lopsided decision to remain the unified welterweight champion.