Roach: I Really Want Mayweather-Pacquiao II, I Know We Can Win!

While Manny Pacquiao's political career became a priority after he announced his "retirement" from the ring in April, he says the lure of continuing his journey in boxing ultimately led to his comeback.

Seven months after defeating American Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas in his much trumpeted farewell to the sport, the Filipino southpaw will return to the same city in November to challenge World Boxing Organisation welterweight champion Jessie Vargas.

Though Pacquiao is an eight-division world champion and one of the greatest boxers ever, the whole experience of preparing for that Nov. 5 fight feels strange as he will be competing for the first time as an elected senator in his homeland.

Pacquiao (58-6-2) was elected to the Philippines' senate in May.

For Pacquiao's experienced trainer, Freddie Roach, the Filipino's abrupt U-turn on his retirement decision was always likely.

Pacquiao's unanimous decision win over Bradley in April was his first fight in nearly a year after his loss to Floyd Mayweather.

Roach says the goal is to get Mayweather back in the ring for one more fight. Their bout from last May was the most financially lucrative boxing event in history. But Mayweather himself announced his retirement last September after defeating former welterweight champion Andre Berto and appears to have zero interest, at least at the moment, to step in the ring again.  

"Manny still has a good future in boxing, I think," Roach said. "And I really want him to fight Mayweather one more time, just to shut him up. I know we can fight a better fight. I know Manny can beat him."

The 27-year-old Vargas (27-1) beat fellow American Sadam Ali in March to claim the WBO welterweight crown and has won 10 of his bouts via a knockout or stoppage, with his only defeat coming via a points loss to Bradley in June 2015.