News

Errol Spence Jr. Withdraws From Manny Pacquiao Fight Due To Torn Retina

Errol Spence Jr. has been forced to withdraw from his Aug. 21 fight with Manny Pacquiao due to a retinal tear in his left eye. Organizers announced the withdrawal on Tuesday.

“Spence discovered that he had a torn retina during a pre-fight medical examination by the NV State Athletic Commission in Las Vegas on Monday,” organizers said on Twitter. “He flew back home to Dallas, TX on Tuesday and will have surgery to repair the tear on Wednesday.”

“I was excited about the fight and the event,” Spence said in a news release. “Unfortunately, the doctors found a tear in my left eye and said I needed to get surgery on it ASAP and that there was no way I could fight with my eye in that condition.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

The welterweight champion returned him to Dallas and will have surgery to repair the tear on Wednesday. He is expected to make a full recovery and return to the ring. He is the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation welterweight world champion with a 27-0 record.

Pacquiao showed concern for his fellow boxer and prayed for Spence to make a full recovery.

“I ask everyone to join me in praying for a full and complete recovery for Errol Spence Jr,” Pacquiao said. “Thank God his physical examination discovered his eye condition before he suffered any further damage.”

While Spence will no longer be able to compete at the event, Yordenis Ugas has agreed to take his place and fight Pacquiao. Ugas won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and recently won the vacant WBA Welterweight title.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Pacquiao, but I am coming to win this fight,” said Ugas. “I’ve been in camp working hard with my coach Ismael Salas, and I know together we will come up with a masterful game plan to combat anything Manny will bring to the ring.”

Allan Perez

Recent Posts

Paul George Exits With Knee Injury As 76ers Fall To 2-12 In Loss To Grizzlies

With their big three finally back in action Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered another setback…

4 hours ago

VIDEO: Nike Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal With 30-Foot Projection In Front of Eiffel Tower

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…

22 hours ago

VIDEO: Rafael Nadal Gets Emotional Tribute as He Retires From Tennis

https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…

22 hours ago

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Fencer Eli Dershwitz Explains The Art Of Fencing

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DQ9Rxhnuer4 U.S. Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz shed light on the critical skills necessary in fencing…

2 days ago

Two Bears Offensive Linemen Return To Practice, Caleb Williams Desperate For Blocking

Two offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears returned to practice, a massive step in the…

3 days ago

VIDEO: UFC Heavyweight Champion Performs Viral Trump Dance In New York

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s2g9t_33Myw President-elect Donald Trump received a warm welcome from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Jon…

4 days ago