Errol Spence Jr. Fires Back At Critics Over Pulling Out Of Pacquiao Fight

Errol Spence Jr. is firing back at critics who have questioned the severity of his retinal tear.

Spence was scheduled to put his WBC and IBF Welterweight Titles on the line against Manny Pacquiao on Aug. 21. Spence had to pull out of the fight as he needed to undergo an eye procedure. Pacquiao ended up facing Yordenis Ugas for the WBA Welterweight gold. Pacquiao lost the fight via unanimous decision.

During an interview with ESPN, Spence blasted the idea that he could’ve fought Pacquiao but avoided the fight.

“It’s freaking Manny Pacquiao, future Hall of Famer, future legend, undoubtedly top 10 all time. One of the greatest fighters of all time. And I drop out of a fight with him two weeks before the fight? That don’t make sense. Not to mention all the money we would make off pay-per-view. I called him out two years ago in the ring. Not like he handpicked me. I been asking to fight him.”

Spence went on to compare his situation to that of retired UFC Middleweight Michael Bisping. Spence said Bisping lost sight in one of his eyes because he returned too early.

“There was a UFC fighter who had the same thing, and he started training too early and lost his eyesight. … He went blind in [one] eye. My doctors tell me take it easy or just chill; that’s what I’m going to do. Not going to push it or think I’m Superman and something go wrong. I’m going to listen to the doctor. And hopefully I make a full recovery.”

Spence is hoping that he can make a full recovery soon but as he mentioned, he is leaving no stone unturned. If all goes well, he has the likes of Ugas and WBO Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford waiting in the wings.