Errol Spence's advantages heading into clash with Manny Pacquiao August 21

Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. (27-0, 21KOs) faces Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39KOs) on August 21, 2021, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada Fox available on Pay-Per-View.

Spence will be the favorite and boasts many advantages over the eight-division champion and inevitable Hall-of-Famer. First and foremost, Spence is the bigger and stronger fighter.

He will likely move up to light-middleweight and middleweight later in his career. Spence may be the most physically imposing fighter Pacquiao will have faced. Spence stands at 5’9 and has a 72’’ reach, while Pacquiao is 5’6 and has a 67’’ reach. Aside from Spence’s physical attributes, he also has big-fight experience. He has significant wins over former welterweight champions Kell Brook, Shawn Porter, and Danny Garcia.

Spence believes he can retire Pacquiao after defeating him decisively, just as Pacquiao retired International Boxing Hall of Famer Oscar De la Hoya after stopping the legend in 2008. Pacquiao was knocked out in 2012 by Juan Manual Marquez, but it would not be shocking if Spence can finish Pacquiao inside the distance. Spence goes to the body early and often and wears down opponents. He is a solid inside fighter, which could make Pacquiao uncomfortable. Spence delivers constant pressure, and he can also nullify Pacquiao’s attack with his jab and reach advantage. Without a doubt, Pacquiao will have his hands full.

Despite Spence’s apparent physical advantages, no fighter can prepare for an unpredictable and fast southpaw like Pacquiao. No sparring partner can mimic Pacquiao’s style perfectly, and nobody knows what facing Pacquiao is like until they get into the ring with him. Spence may have difficulty with Pacquiao’s punch angles and tricky feints. Pacquiao also tends to get the best of exchanges against opponents.

But there is no telling how great Pacquiao will be in a few weeks. Pacquiao appeared weary and took many shots during the mid-to-late stages of his win against Keith Thurman in 2019, and he will not have fought for two years when he faces Spence.

Even though Spence was in a near-fatal car accident in 2019, he looked like his usual self when he definitively outpointed Danny Garcia last December. The fact of the matter is the 42-year-old Pacquiao will face a prime Errol Spence who likely would have been able to give Pacquiao a tough fight even during Pacquiao’s prime.