Top Rank founder Bob Arum told USA Today that Manny Pacquiao, 37-year-old future Hall of Famer and current Philippine senator, will fight in Las Vegas on November 5. The arena will be in Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of University of Nevada and will be accommodating an average of 18, 000 people.
Bob Arum said that he tried to get Pacquiao a fight on October 15 but the Philippine Senate was still in session around that time. There were rumors that Pacquiao said he will file for a leave of absence in Senate to fight in a match. Manny Pacquiao refuted such claim by posting on Facebook. "There is no truth to media reports that I'm planning to take a leave from my senate duties just to fight again atop the ring. I want to make it clear – my priority is my legislative works. When I ran for senator last May 9 elections, I made a promise to be present in all sessions. I owe it to the people. If ever I decide to fight again, rest assured, it will happen when congress is on recess so there's no need for me to go on leave," he said.
Pacquiao said he will conduct his training in his home country to ensure his attendance in Senate to fulfill his duties. "Boxing is my only means of livelihood to support my family and to help those who are in need. Politics, to me, is a vocation not a means to eke out a living. I want to maintain that belief. I want to keep my dignity intact while in public service."
His opponent has yet to have a name but in an article by Boxing Junkie, Bob Arum named possible fighters to face Pacquiao. The winner of the junior welterweight unification title matchup, a fight between 140-pounders Terence Crawford and Viktor Postol, will have the opportunity to fight Manny. It is said that it might be announced a week after their fight on July 23 HBO PPV. Another candidate is Welterweight title holder Jessie Vargas. Arum said PBC fighter Adrien Broner is his first choice, but the 26-year-old "asked for too much money."
HBO pay-per-view will be expected to air the fight but has yet to be finalized.
