After Errol Spence Jr. (25-0, 21KOs) dominated unified lightweight champion Mikey Garcia (39-1, 31KOs), he proceeded to call out the legendary Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39KOs). The eight division world champion was in attendance for the bout along with 47,000 plus fans at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Spence laid down the gauntlet; “It would be an honor to fight him next.” But is this a good fight for either man?

For Spence it certainly is. The 29 year old is coming off headlining his first ever PPV on FOX in front of more than 47,000 fans. He scored a spectacular unanimous decision against fellow pound for pound fighter, and arguably the best name on his resume to date, Mikey Garcia. Spence demonstrated boxing ability and the unforgiving onslaught that has come to define him as the boogeyman of the 147 pound division. A fight against Manny Pacquiao would top the Garcia clash as the biggest fight in Spence’s career. Not only would he be facing a legend of the sport but it would provide him with his biggest payday to date.

For the aging legend it’s a different story. Pacquiao seemed reluctant to accept the challenge. Not too long ago the Filipino legend was the one calling out the top names in the sport. It used to be that Pacquiao would have been all but chomping at the bit to face the best that boxing had to offer. And he did face the best. To say that Pacquiao was reluctant in accepting the challenge is not a knock on him but rather a telling sign that this is not necessarily the fight that he wants at this stage of his career.

We all know the fight Manny Pacquiao is looking for. It’s arguably the main reason he signed on with Al Hayon’s Premier Boxing Champions. That elusive fight is a rematch with Floyd “Money” Mayweather (50-0, 27KOs). Pacquiao is in the twilight of his career and he’s looking to cash in on major paydays. A rematch with Mayweather may not do the same record numbers the first one did, but even if it did half the business it did it would render him a payday that no other fight can give him today.

But Mayweather seems reluctant to enter the boxing ring again. I still think Mayweather will come back if the price is right but he doesn’t seem to be in a hurry. It remains to be seen if he’s willing to give Pacquiao the rematch he seeks. But the Filipino legend won’t be waiting for an answer. He’ll continue to fight on. He’s openly said he intends to fight two to three more times.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Errol Spence Jr. would be a huge fight but a risky one for Pacquiao. They say a great fighter usually has one last great fight left in him. The eight division world champion last fought in January of this year when he outpointed Adrien Broner. Although Broner didn’t present any significant problems, Pacquiao still looked sharp and fast for his age. Granted he’s not the version we saw in the 2000’s and early 2010’s, but the legend is still a world class fighter.

Manny Pacquiao could very well hand Spence his first loss. He’s smaller than Garcia who’s 5’6″ with a 68″ reach. Pacquiao is 5′5½″ with a 67″ reach. But Manny Pacquiao is has been fighting above 140 pounds since 2009. He’s faced powerful and skilled punchers at welterweight. Not only that but he has 24 years of experience and a body that is still reacting well. In his heyday Pacquiao was ranked one and two in pound for pound lists. In his decline he has shown to still have plenty left in the tank.

We’ll know in the coming months what route Manny Pacquiao wants to take. Will he accept Spence’s call out or will another fight materialize? We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime the welterweight division is red hot and Spence is arguably at the helm of the division. There are other big fights available for him but for those to happen we have to see a continued trend in the best wanting to challenge themselves against the best.

What are your thoughts on a Pacquiao vs. Spence Jr. clash? Let me know in the comments. Subscribe to the blog and follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can support Torres Boxing by clicking here. Until next time, God bless you!