Whether Manny Pacquiao can still go toe-to-toe with the best fighters the welterweight division has to offer will be determined soon.

The Filipino boxing icon is set to tangle with American champion Errol Spence Jr., the holder of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC) titles, in Las Vegas on August 21.

Pacquiao, who has not fought in nearly two years, announced the news by posting the promotional poster of their bout on his social media accounts on Saturday, May 22.

According to boxing insider Mike Coppinger, the Pacquiao-Spence tussle will be a title fight.

Now 42, Pacquiao will test his mettle and durability against Spence, who is 11 years younger and considered by various boxing outlets as the best welterweight in the world.

Pacquiao (67-7-2, 39 knockouts) has not fought since he claimed the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight belt following a split decision win over erstwhile unbeaten American Keith Thurman in July 2019.

His inactivity prompted the WBA to designate him as “champion in recess.”

Meanwhile, Spence has not lost in 27 professional bouts and won 21 of his fights through stoppage.

Surviving a car accident in October 2019, Spence defended his WBC and IBF belts with a unanimous decision win over compatriot Danny Garcia in December 2020. – Rappler.com