Spence out of Pacquiao fight with eye injury, Ugas to step in

CEBU, Philippines —  Errol Spence, Jr. was forced to withdraw from his hotly-anticipated showdown with Manny Pacquiao after the undefeated WBC/IBF welterweight champion suffered an eye injury during training.

After a routine pre-fight eye exam ordered by the Nevada Athletic State Commission, it was found out that Spence sustained a retinal torn in his left eye.

“I’m very disappointed that I won’t be able to fight Manny Pacquiao on August 21,” Spence said in a statement.

“I was excited about the fight and the event. 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.”

Upon learning the news, Pacquiao immediately wishes Spence a very speedy recovery.

“First and foremost, 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.”

At the same time, Pacquiao confirmed that he has agreed to slug it out with Yordenis Ugas, who will step in to replace Spence and defend his WBA 147-pound crown against the eight-division world titlist on August 21 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“I have agreed to fight Yordenis Ugas on August 21 for the WBA welterweight super championship. The proper way and the only way to win a world title is inside the ring,” Pacquiao said.

Interestingly, Ugas has been promoted by the WBA as its welterweight champion after stripping Pacquiao of his belt last January for his failure to defend it within the prescribed period of time.

Meanwhile, Spence expressed his willingness to face the winner of the Pacquiao-Ugas duel in the future.