NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur — Narvacan, Ilocos Sur town mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson, bared his close friend senator Manny Pacquiao is a heavy underdog in his upcoming match up with unified champion Errol Spence Jr, in August.

“Dehado talaga siya sa laban na ito pero alam naman natin si Manny na hindi umaatras sa laban,” Singson, national president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines and a close adviser of Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao, 62-7-2 (39) will be making his first engagement in the ring since a 2019 win over Keith Thurman.

He is indeed fighting a formidable opponent as the 31-year-old Spence is 27-0 with 21 knockouts and one of the world’s elite pound-for-pound fighters.

Singson, who is a true-blue sportsman himself and sports patron being the Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA) president said if he has his way he favors the possible rematch between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, 44, because they are of the same age and sure blockbuster fight.

Mayweather was quoted in his recent media interview that Pacquiao was the best fighter he ever fought because of his movement.

The £678 million Mayweather-Pacquiao 2015 fight remains the all-time boxing richest bout.

Singson is optimistic Pacquiao will find ways to offset Spence’s advantages in height by 3.5-inches and reach by 5 inches.

“Manny’s experience and conditioning will be the key to his victory in this tiff,” Singson opined.

Singson said, “Pacquiao’s upcoming fight will be crucial in the latter’s political plan in the 2022 polls.

A victory by Manny will be a major booster in his battle outside the ring.:

Reasserting he fully supports Pacquiao, Singson will join Manny again at fight night as is his wont.

“I will do it as a close friend and fellow Filipino,” Singson said.