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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider Sean Gibbons: Pacquiao out to prove why he's 8-division world boxing champ

Sean Gibbons: Pacquiao out to prove why he's 8-division world boxing champ

Published May 30, 2021 07:23 pm

In this file photo, Manny Pacquiao (left) knocks down Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada last July 2019. (AFP)

Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao (MP) Promotions, believes that the fighting senator of the Philippines is going to prove why he is the only eight-division world boxing champion once he returns to the ring.

Pacquiao, who was inactive since beating Keith Thurman in July 2019, is set to make a comeback at age 42 against the unified WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.

And Gibbons is confident that Pacquiao has "reinvigorated" despite the time he took off from fighting. Even Pacquiao himself admitted that he isn't at all worried about ring rust.

READ: Manny Pacquiao wants 70,000-seater Allegiant Stadium for comeback fight vs Errol Spence

"I believe the Senator, being an eight-time world champion, first ballot Hall of Famer, understands how to cut the distance and break guys down. I don't believe that Errol Spence has that good of a defense," Gibbons told boxingscene.com.

"I really believe from when I watched him (Spence) up close and personal that he has a great jab and he has good position with his feet but he is going to come to realize that the Senator has some Superman abilities - something out of this world at 42 and a half years of age - with the speed and the power."

READ: Donaire on Pacquiao-Spence: You can't underestimate guys like Manny

For Gibbons, Pacquiao's right-hand man, the mega-bout with Spence will be historic for the Filipino boxing legend since it was on US soil, particularly at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where he first captured the IBF super bantamweight title against South African foe Lehlo Ledwaba in June 2001.

Pacquiao, as a flyweight, won his first WBC belt against Thai foe Chatchai Sasakul in Thailand in December 1998.

And the MP Promotions chief is just amazed that Pacquiao has come full circle 26 years later since beginning his professional boxing career in 1995.

READ: Former Pacquiao foes favor Spence

"Come August 21, he is going to show Errol Spence why he won eight world titles in eight different divisions," said Gibbons.

Pacquiao, who holds a 62-7-2 record on top of 39 knockouts, got stripped of his super WBA welterweight belt and was declared "champion in recess" due to his inactivity while Spence, 31, remained unbeaten in 27 matches with 21 KOs.

The final venue has yet to be announced but the mega-bout is set to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.

READ: Fortune: Spence is a hell of a fighter but Pacquiao is on different level

Related Tags

Errol Spence Jr. Sean Gibbons Errol Spence Manny Pacquiao
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