After weeks of guesswork and waiting, the boxing world finally knows who Manny Pacquiao will face off in his return to the ring on November 5.
Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KO) has confirmed he will come out of retirement to fight WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas (27-1, 10 KO) in November at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. He released a statement early August 10, announcing the fight.
“Yes, the fight is on," the statement said. "I have agreed to a November 5 fight with reigning WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas. Boxing is my main source of income. I can’t rely on my salary as a public official. I’m helping the family of my wife and my own family, as well. Many people also come to me to ask for help and I just couldn’t ignore them. My entire training camp will be held here in the Philippines so I can attend to my legislative work. This is my campaign promise and I’m determined to keep it.”
Vargas was one of two possible candidates to be Pacquiao's opponent. The other, Terrence Crawford, defeated Viktor Postol on July 23 for the WBC light welterweight title.
Pacquiao won 4 of his last 5 fights, with the lone loss being in the super fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. back in May 2015. Pacquiao is the only boxer to ever win world titles in eight different divisions.
