Errol Spence Jr. forced to pull out of Manny Pacquiao fight

Welterweight boxing champion Errol Spence Jr. has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Manny Pacquiao because of an eye injury, CBS Sports reported on Tuesday. 

The fight, slated for Aug. 21, is expected to be a huge pay-per-view event.

"I'm very disappointed that I won't be able to fight Manny Pacquiao," Spence said via press release. "I was excited about the fight. Unfortunately, the doctors found a tear in my left eye and said I needed surgery on it ASAP and that there was no way I could fight with my eye in that condition."

Spence, 31, is undefeated in his professional boxing career with a 27-0 record. He has held the IBF title since 2017 and the WBC title since 2019. The fight on Aug. 21 would have been one of his biggest yet, and Pacquiao's first bout since 2019.

"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."

WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas will move up the fight card and face off against Pacquiao on the 21st.