Manny Pacquiao To Return on November 5 - Crawford or Vargas

By Edward Chaykovsky

The return of eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38KOs) has been penciled in for November 5th, with the other tentative date of October 29th getting ruled out.

Pacquiao retired back in April after winning a twelve round unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley in their trilogy fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The Filipino superstar secured a senatorial seat in May and the October date created a conflict with his political duties.

His promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, said October 29th was ruled out after speaking with Pacquiao and his team.

Arum says Pacquiao's return opponent will be determined on his weight preference.

If Pacquiao decides to drop down to 140-pounds, then he would like face WBO junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford - if he wins Saturday's unification with WBC champion Viktor Postol. If Postol wins, he is also a possibility for Pacquiao - but it also creates a conflict as Freddie Roach trains both boxers.

And if he decides to remain at the welterweight limit of 147-pounds, then he will face WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas.

“A lot of it depends on if Manny wants to go down to 140. If he decides to go to 140 and Crawford wins, that could be the fight, but if he says no, says, ‘Because of the Senate, I’m not going to be able to get down to 140 comfortably,’ then he’ll fight against Vargas,” Arum said to The Los Angeles Times.

Adrien Broner was option, but he was ruled out because of his financial demands. WBC welterweight champion Danny Garcia has also been ruled out - and Arum continues to dispute Garcia's claim that he received an offer to fight Pacquiao.

“Nobody’s ever called me about Garcia. Garcia’s saying he wants more money. Who’s he talking to?”