Pacquiao planning Senate leave to prepare for next fight—Arum
With the Philippine National flag in background, Filipino boxing great and now Senator Manny Pacquiao stands while a citation is being read to him during ceremony at the Commission on Elections Thursday, May 19, 2016 in suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao has won a seat in the Philippine Senate based on an unofficial count bringing him closer to a possible crack at the presidency. Pacquiao said he will retire from boxing to become a full-time politician. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
It’s been only a couple of months since his induction to the Philippine Senate, but Manny Pacquiao is already reportedly planning to take a leave of absence for another go in the boxing ring.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum told Boxingscene.com that Pacquiao is looking for another opponent for a possible return fight and is working with Senate President Franklin Drilon to figure out how to can go on a break to train.
“He is going to fight. I don’t know what the date is. He is working with the President of the Philippine Senate for an appropriate date where he can leave the Philippines for two or three weeks to prepare for a fight,” said Arum.
Pacquiao announced back in April he would be retiring from boxing, after a unanimous decision win over Timothy Bradley, to focus on his political career.
This recent string of events looks as if his retirement was written on sand.
As per Boxingscene.com, Adrien Broner was originally slated as Pacquiao’s opponent but the American asked for a price both Arum and Al Haymon can’t afford.
“I was dealing with Al Haymon on making that fight, Al tried but Broner was asking for crazy money that nobody can afford so he is out and Manny is looking for another opponent,” said Arum.
Top Rank has made a pencil reservation for October 15 at Mandalay Bay Events Center for Pacquiao’s possible return.
Arum added Pacquiao has to train in the Philippines before he goes to the States if a fight pushes through.
“In any event he is going to have to do most of his preparation in the Philippines—you know after he sits in the Senate—so it is going to be an interesting thing but definitely he is looking to comeback and the question is how can we arrange it,” said Arum in the Boxingscene.com report.
