WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr has withdrawn from his title fight with Manny Pacquiao due to injury.
Pacquiao, the 42-year-old eight-division world champion, was due to meet Spence at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, August 21.
But the 31-year-old Spence has been forced to withdraw because of a retinal tear in his left eye.
Pacquiao will instead fight 35-year-old WBA champion Cuban Yordenis Ugas (26-4), who was due to make his first defence against Fabian Maidana in the co-feature of the Spence-Pacquiao card.
In a statement on Premier Boxing Champions' website, Spence said: "I’m very disappointed that I won’t be able to fight Manny Pacquiao on 21 August.
"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 soon. We’ve come back from worse."
Pacquiao added: "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 21 August for the WBA welterweight super championship. The proper way and the only way to win a world title is inside the ring."
Pacquiao, who boasts a 62–7–2 record, last professionally boxed two years ago when he beat Keith Thurman by split decision for the WBA welterweight title.
He later became a champion-in-recess due to his inactivity.
