Manila: Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao confirmed yesterday that he is coming out of retirement to fight World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in November. The 37-year-old, who has won world titles in eight weight divisions, made the announcement after meeting with promoter Bob Arum in Manila on Tuesday.
“Yes, the fight is on. I have agreed to a November 5 fight with reigning WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas,” Pacquiao said in a statement to AFP. “Boxing is my passion. I miss what I’d been doing inside the gym and atop the ring.”
After winning a unanimous decision against American Timothy Bradley in April, Pacquiao had said he would retire to focus on his political career. Pacquiao was elected to the Philippine senate in May but even before taking office, he said he was open to fighting again. “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,” he said yesterday.
Vargas (27-1, 10 KOs), a 27-year-old American, said last week he was in talks with Pacquiao’s camp to hold a fight in Las Vegas. Pacquiao’s manager Michael Koncz confirmed Wednesday a promotional tour for the fight would be held from September 8 to 10 in Los Angeles, and said a contract would be signed soon.
Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs) said he would return to the Philippines straight after promoting the fight to fulfil his political duties. “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,” said Pacquiao.
During his previous stint as a congressman before being elected to the upper house, Pacquiao faced criticism for being among the top absentee lawmakers. Filipino boxing pundit Ronnie Nathanielsz told AFP the Vargas fight might not be as easy as Pacquiao’s previous bouts because the Filipino boxer is 10 years older than Vargas and has been dividing his time between politics and sport.
“It is dangerous for him to fight a young man like Vargas, who is much taller than Pacquiao,” said Nathanielsz, who has followed the Filipino fighter’s career for many years. “Manny has been fighting for 17 or 18 years so there’s a degree of wear and tear,” he added.
While Pacquiao still has power and speed, he has slowed down in recent years, Nathanielsz said. “He certainly isn’t the fighter he was before, which means he’s past his prime.”