Fortune: Pacquiao is the definition of a champion


Justin Fortune, the strength and conditioning coach of Manny Pacquiao, believes that the Filipino boxing legend has got nothing to prove -- win or lose -- against Errol Spence Jr. on Aug. 21 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Manny Pacquiao (Top Rank)

"Win or lose, y'know, he (Pacquiao) goes down as the best fighter in history in the modern era for sure. No one will ever do what he's done ever," Fortune told Little Giant Boxing. "He's the definition of a champion. He's lost and comeback and defeated those losses. I'm not just biased 'coz he's my mate but we've been training for a long time and we know his abilities."

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

Pacquiao is scheduled to lock horns with Spence, the unified WBC and IBF welterweight titleholder, two months from now.

And for Fortune, the 42-year-old fighting senator is about to unleash just one of the classic showings despite Father Time catching up to him.

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

After all, Pacquiao is now in the "golden years" of his career, the Australian trainer added.

"Every time you got to a Pacquiao fight, it's always explosion and excitement, "said Fortune. "That's what Manny brings to fights that's why people love watching him. And that's Pacquiao. We'll get him in shape as fast, as agile as he always is and explosive and then some."

READ: Pacquiao would ‘obliterate’ Spence, says trainer

Earlier, Fortune reiterated that Pacquiao will win against Spence, 31, given his speed and power at his age.

Pacquiao, however, has not fought since scoring a split decision win over Keith Thurman in July 2019 to improve at 62-7-2 record on top of 39 knockouts.

READ: Former Pacquiao foes favor Spence

But Pacquiao himself is unfazed at all and worries nothing about ring-rust. In fact, he considered the hiatus enough rest to put himself in condition.

Spence, for his part, remains unbeaten in 27 matches with 21 KOs with the latest win from Danny Garcia (unanimous decision) in December last year.

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