World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman has received medical documents to confirm the eye injury of WBC, IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence.
Spence was scheduled to face eight division champion Manny Pacquiao this coming Saturday night, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Spence was forced to withdraw when and eye injury was discovered during a pre-fight exam by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
He was replaced by WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas.
"Unfortunately, during the mandatory exams that boxers must undergo, an injury was detected in the retina of Spence’s left eye and he had to undergo surgery, which is going to keep him out of the ring for some time. Now, Pacquiao will face Cuban Yordenis Ugás," Sulaiman said.
"I received an emotional letter from our champion Errol Spence Jr., in which he thanks the World Boxing Council for giving him the support to keep him as champion; the easy way out would have been to sanction Pacquiao vs. Ugas for our title. Or also to open an interim, but it was not like that. The WBC ratified support for him, and the medical report was satisfactory, so he will return to the ring as soon as healed and safely possible.
"The welterweight division is perhaps the most talented at the moment, and there are a lot of fights that could take place in the months and years to come. Hopefully the promoters will get it right and they will give the fans what they deserve: the greatest fights.
"We wish Manny the best of luck this Saturday and it would be wonderful if he closed his cycle contesting the WBC Green and Gold belt that has accompanied him throughout his career."