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28 March 2024

Pacquiao plans to fight Vargas in Dubai - report

This file photo taken on March 11, 2015 shows Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao listening while on the carpet with boxing promoter Bob Arum (left) on arrival in Los Angeles, California for the Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao press conference ahead of their fight in Las Vegas. (AFP)

Published
By AFP

Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring later this year to fight World Boxing Organisation welterweight champion Jessie Vargas, the Filipino boxing star's manager said on Wednesday.

"Retirement doesn't suit Manny right now," Michael Koncz told the Los Angeles Times. "It is amazing what training and fighting does for him."

Pacquiao 'always talked about fighting in Dubai' says Arum

After Pacquiao defeated Timothy Bradley on April 9, 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.

UAE gears up as Pacquiao hints he has more than one fight left

The record eight-division world champion's next fight will be on November 5, his promoter Bob 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).

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao wants to fight in Dubai

American Vargas (27-1-0) said Friday he is in talks with Pacquiao's camp to hold a fight on November 5 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."