Errol Spence Jr. underwent successful eye surgery just two days after learning he suffered a torn retina. The injury forced the two-belt welterweight champion out of an August 21 matchup against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
Spence showed up for a prefight examination ordered by the Nevada Athletic Commission on Monday. The doctor found the injury while performing the checkup.
Errol Spence Jr. says he talked to two more doctors regarding the injury over the next day. The conclusion was the same from all the physicians: The injury required immediate surgery.
Errol Spence is undefeated in 27 professional fights with 21 knockouts. He defeated Danny Garcia to defend the WBC and IBF championships earlier in 2021. The fight with Garcia was his comeback fight from a life-threatening car accident Spence experienced in October 2019.
The Manny Pacquiao-Errol Spence fight was one of the most anticipated matchups in recent years. Pacquiao will now face WBA champion Yordenis Ugas on August 21.
Ugas was planning to fight Fabian Maidana on the undercard of the Pacquiao-Spence showdown. Since he was already training to fight on that night, he did not think twice about the opportunity to share the ring with Pacquiao.
Yordenis Ugas enjoyed a stellar amateur career that led to an Olympic bronze medalist. The Cuban fighter complained in the past about not getting big names like Spence to fight him. Ugas wished Spence well and told him, “I`m sure you are going to come back from this injury.”
Errol Spence continues to give updates to fans via social media platforms. He ensures them that he will be as good as ever after the three-month recovery period. “I have come back from worse,” Spence reminded everyone. He also made it known that the first order of business for him once healthy is fighting the winner of the Pacquiao-Ugas contest.