MANNY PACQUIAO WILL return to the ring later this year to fight WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas, according to Filipino boxing star’s manager.
“Retirement doesn’t suit Manny right now,” Michael Koncz told the Los Angeles Times. “It is amazing what training and fighting does for him.”
In Manila, newly-elected senator Pacquiao said details of any match would only be ironed out after he meets American promoter Bob Arum on 9 August.
“Nothing is final yet,” he told AFP through a spokesman.
After Pacquiao defeated Timothy Bradley on 9 April, he announced he was retiring from the sport to devote more time to his political career. He was elected to the Philippine Senate in May.
He announced several weeks ago that he would fight again. The record eight-division world champion’s next fight will be on November 5, Arum said.
Arum is looking at holding the fight in Las Vegas or Dubai. He tweeted last week that he was talking to a group from the Middle East that wants to host Pacquiao (58-6-2).
American Vargas (27-1-0) said Friday he is in talks with Pacquiao’s camp to hold a fight on 5 November at the Thomas & Mack Center arena in Las Vegas.
Koncz told the Times that he would travel with Arum to Philippines next week to meet with Pacquiao and pick a site.
“That’s the essence of the meeting,” Koncz said. “Not choosing an opponent. That’s already done.”
