ERROL SPENCE JR is out of his super-fight with Manny Pacquiao with an eye injury – and will now need to undergo surgery.
Spence was due to defend his WBC and IBF welterweight titles against the Filipino icon on August 21.
But he revealed the devastating news of his injury, which led to doctors forcing him out the fight.
He will now be replaced by Cuban Yordenis Ugas, 35, with the WBA title on the line – the same belt Pacquiao had stripped from him earlier this year because of inactivity.
Spence, 31, said: “I’m very disappointed that I won’t be able to fight Manny Pacquiao on August 21. 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.
“I’d like to apologise to everyone. You know I’ll be back as soon back soon. We’ve come back from worse.’’
Pacquiao, 42, has not fought since July 2019, the night he beat Keith Thurman, 32, for the WBA belt.
But amid the coronavirus pandemic, he was left housebound in Manilla.
As a result, the WBA stripped him of the belt and elevated Ugas 0from the secondary ‘Regular’ title to to full champion.
It leaves PacMan left to settle a score as he agreed to fight Ugas as Spence’s replacement.
“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.
Errol Spence Jr
Pacquiao said: “First and foremost, I ask everyone to join me in praying for a full and complete recovery for Errol Spence Jr.
“Thank God his physical examination discovered his eye condition before he suffered any further damage.
“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.”
Ugas won the WBA secondary title against Abdel Ramos in September last year but has not fought since.
Following the dispute over Pacquiao’s stripped belt, he called to face the boxing hero – and will now get his wish.
Ugas said: “It’s an honour to fight the great multiple division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, as I am more than ready to take on this challenge.
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“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Pacquiao, but I am coming to win this fight.
“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.
“I wish Errol Spence Jr a speedy recovery and I want to ensure the fans that I will be at my best for this fight.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
