By Edward Chaykovsky

Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao insists that his upcoming return to boxing is not connected to money.

Just three months after announcing his retirement, Pacquiao is already in line to return to the ring this coming fall.

Pacquiao dominated Timothy Bradley over twelve rounds in their trilogy bout in April at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Following that win over Bradley, Pacquiao announced his retirement to purse a full-time career in politics. In May he won a senatorial seat in the Philippines.

His promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, has already reserved November 5th at Las Vegas' Thomas & Mack Center for the potential comeback fight.

Several opponents have been mentioned, but WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas and WBC/WBO junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford - both promoted by Top Rank - appear to be the frontrunners.

Vargas won the vacant WBO title earlier this year with a knockout of Sadam Ali. Crawford was in action last Saturday at the MGM Grand, where he unified the WBC/WBO titles with dominating performance over previously unbeaten Viktor Postol. The corner of Postol was regulated by Freddie Roach, who also trains Pacquiao.

While Pacquiao has not officially announced his return to the ring, he freely admits that he misses boxing and the possibility of fighting again is not fueled by a financial motivation.

"Boxing is my passion," Pacquiao said to ABS-CBN News.

"I've grown with it and I really love it. I miss boxing. Secondly, I feel privileged to give honor to our country. Of course you earn money to fight, but that's not really the reason [for wanting to return to the ring]."