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Agence France-Presse

Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao plans to come out of retirement to fight an as yet to be named opponent later this year, his promoter said on Tuesday, though the boxer said no fight had yet been set.
Bob Arum told American sports broadcaster ESPN the former welterweight champion planned to fight on either October 29 or November 5 as a main event bout in Las Vegas as long as it didn’t clash with his senate duties in the Philippines.
“Manny wants to come back,” Arum said. “He likes to fight and he likes the attention.
“The problem is he can only come back if it doesn’t interfere with his senate duties.”
The boxer had previously planned an October 15 fight in Mandalay Bay Events Center, but scrapped it due to upcoming votes in the senate in his native Philippines, where he now serves.
“The question is building availability because we want to do the fight in Las Vegas,” Arum said about the new dates.
Arum said the most difficult part of setting up a fight was working around the busy schedule of the boxer, who has a career record of 58-6-2 with 38 knockouts.
“He now has given us the go-ahead to shop for a venue and an opponent and see if we can do it on a particular date or dates,” Arum said.
“We’ve been trying to work out a date that doesn’t interfere with his senatorial responsibilities and his ability to train.”
Manny Pacquiao to assess Senate workload before mulling return to ring, says promoter Bob Arum
But in a statement, Pacquiao denied any firm plans on a fight.
“There is no truth to media reports that I’m planning to take a leave from my Senate duties just to fight again atop the ring. I want to make it clear – my priority is my legislative works,” he said.
“My next fight has not yet been discussed. Should there be any, I’ll make sure it will not interfere with my senate duties.”
The boxer said all his training would take place in the Philippines so he can keep participating in senate proceedings.
“Boxing is my only means of livelihood to support my family and to help those who are in need,” he said.
“Politics, to me, is a vocation not a means to eke out a living.
“I want to maintain that belief. I want to keep my dignity intact while in public service.”
Vintage Pacquiao wins unanimous decision in farewell bout against outclassed Bradley
Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz, told ESPN that Pacquiao missed the competition.
“Manny’s primary concern and obligation is to fulfil his senatorial duties,” Koncz said.
“But he misses (boxing). He misses the training. He misses being in the gym. You can see when he trains it’s like a stress reliever for him.
“So I am working with Bob and Manny is working closely with the senate president to make sure the dates are OK. We are doing this properly.”


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Manny Pacquiao

Itching for cameo bout: Manny Pacquiao wants to return to the ring

Manny Pacquiao misses his life as a boxer. Photo: AFP

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao shows his WBO championship belt to the media after defeating Timothy Bradley, upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila April 14, 2016. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

This photo taken on May 19, 2016, shows Philippine boxing icon and newly elected Senator Manny Pacquiao giving a statement suring a press conference at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) proclamation of senators at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila. Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is giving the Rio Olympics a miss as he tries to make good on his promise to be a full-time politician. Pacquiao, a newly proclaimed senator in the Philippines, said Friday that he was declining an invitation to compete in the Olympics in August to focus on being a top lawmaker. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS

Sport

Boxing

Filipino great plans to come out or retirement, promoter Bob Arum says, but Senate duties come first


Itching for cameo bout: Manny Pacquiao wants to return to the ring

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Filipino great plans to come out or retirement, promoter Bob Arum says, but Senate duties come first

Filipino great plans to come out or retirement, promoter Bob Arum says, but Senate duties come first