Ring legend Manny Pacquiao has confirmed that he will tackle WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in his comeback bout on November 5.
The 37-year-old Filipino met with promoter Bob Arum in Manila before confirming his intention to reverse his decision to retire in April of this year.
Pacquiao, a world champion in eight different weight divisions during his stellar career, vowed to retire in order focus on his political career in the wake of a unanimous decision success against American Timothy Bradley earlier this year.
Pacquiao was elected to the Philippine senate in May but, by then, he had already said he was open to fighting again.
Describing boxing as his ‘passion’, Pac-Man said he had already started to miss both his training routine and his time in the ring, prompting the decision to come back and fight Vargas.
“Yes, the fight is on. I have agreed to a November 5 fight with reigning WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas,” Pacquiao said.
“Boxing is my passion. I miss what I’d been doing inside the gym and atop the ring.”
Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs) said his training camp would be based entirely in the Philippines in order to allow him complete his work as an elected official.
After fighting 27-year-old Vargas (27-1, 10 KOs), most likely in Las Vegas, he said he will immediately return to his homeland. Pacquiao said he is taking on the fight in order to provide for those around him.
“Boxing is my main source of income. I can’t rely on my salary as a public official,” he added.
“I’m helping the family of my wife and my own family, as well. Many people also come to me to ask for help and I just couldn’t ignore them.”
Tyson Fury meanwhile is 1.95 to win his heavyweight rematch with Wladimir Klitschko on October 29. Klitschko is 1.91 to avenge last year’s defeat in Germany when they clash in Manchester.
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