Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao is looking to return on a date in May.

Pacquiao, 42-years-old, has been out of the ring since July 2019 - when he won a twelve round split decision over Keith Thurman to capture the WBA welterweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The Filipino superstar's return has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The near two years of inactivity has cost him his world title, as earlier this year the WBA removed him from his championship position.

At the start of the year, there were ongoing discussions to make a fight between Pacquiao and UFC star Conor McGregor. The idea of that contest fell apart when McGregor was knocked out at UFC 257 in January.

Pacquiao has named two possible opponents for his return - four division world champion Mikey Garcia and WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford.

“We’re leaning towards Mikey Garcia, but we’re also talking to Crawford,” Pacquiao told Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN. “It depends on who I get to face, what’s important is I’m ready. 

“We never really got complacent, we’ve always continuously worked out. We keep on playing basketball aside from boxing. Actually, right after my fight the last time with [Keith] Thurman, I didn’t work out boxing, but I kept playing basketball.”

In a recent interview, Garcia revealed that a deal to fight Pacquiao was nearly complete.

At the moment, through his position as a senator in the Philippines, is helping his countrymen overcome the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“We will keep on giving, we will continue to help as much as we can, even if it's just in small ways. I would love to be able to help everyone out, but our resources are limited, so we’ll do the best that we can, no problem. The only thing that I can assure the people of, is that as long as I can help, I will help, to the best of my abilities,” Pacquiao said.