WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is planning to make the first defense of his world title on a date in July.
He captured the title back in July of 2019, when he dropped and decisioned undefeated Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The 41-year-old eight division world champion is looking to secure the biggest name possible for his upcoming return.
There is no shortage of potential opponents for the Filipino superstar.
"My plan is to get back into the ring this coming July,” Pacquiao said to ANC. “Second or third week in July. Training should start in April, May, June. We have enough time.
"There's a lot of possible opponents, like Mikey Garcia, Errol Spence or [Terence] Crawford and also there's boxers from Canada and Mexico who want to fight with me.”
Pacquiao made it clear who his two top choices are: "That's Errol Spence and Garcia.”
Garica (40-1, 30 KOs), a four division champion, came back last weekend in his second fight at 147-pounds and won a twelve round decision over Jessie Vargas. And Spence, who has the WBC, IBF welterweight titles, is planning to return in the coming months. He defeated Shawn Porter in the fall and was due to fight in January against Danny Garcia, but was forced to put those plans on hold after being involved in a car accident
Pacquiao likes the styles of both boxers and has no issue with facing Spence or Mikey Garcia next.
"My assessment is Spence is the kind of boxer who can move, a slugger. If we're going to fight I need to focus on strategy, hand speed, footwork," Pacquiao said.
"Garcia has a different style than Errol Spence. Mikey Garcia is a brawler, aggressive. He's got different techniques also, so we need to practice and apply on that fight."