By Edward Chaykovsky
As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum will be arriving on to the Philippines on August 9 to sit down with Manny Pacquiao and discuss the details of his comeback fight.
Arum has set aside November 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas for Pacquiao's return fight.
Pacquiao announced his retirement in April after winning a twelve round unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley. He was motivated to pursue a full-time career in politics, and in May he captured a senatorial seat back home.
According to Arum, the two main options remain as World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Jessie Vargas (27-1, 10 knockouts) and WBO and World Boxing Council junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford (29-0, 20 knockouts).
“I will fly over to Manila and meet Manny [Pacquiao] to discuss to him the details of his return bout,” Arum told The Manila Times. “I have already booked my flight to Manila. I’m looking forward to that meeting.”
“So far, they are still the candidates [Crawford and Vargas] to fight Manny. It’s going to be an absolute blockbuster fight either of the two. Everybody is excited to see Manny return. His last fight against Timothy Bradley was great.”
Pacquiao on the other hand is stating that a ring return is not set in stone, but he doesn't rule it out.
“Nothing is definite yet at the moment,” the 37-year-old Pacquiao recently told The Manila Times. “My priority is my job in the senate. Let’s see.”
Vargas believes he is close to a deal to fight Pacquiao. He also realizes that anything can change. In a recent interview with BoxingScene.com, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach ruled out Crawford as the November opponent. Pacquiao has the final call on the matter.
“I am the WBO welterweight champion and he wants to return to fight for this belt. So I am happy to give him a title shot,” Vargas said. “The fight is still under negotiation and I can say that soon we will announce it, although I do not want to [get ahead of myself] because in boxing everything can change every minute."
“Manny has never faced someone like me. I’m at my best, I have several advantages. I’m taller and faster than him. I’m really smart fighter too. I not only want to face him but I want to beat him. Juan Manuel Marquez did it and I want to beat him too, mainly because at his best he was someone who gave many headaches to Mexico fighters."
