Pacquiao’s boxing return set for Thomas & Mack Center – report

MANILA, Philippines – Top Rank chief Bob Arum has chosen the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas to host Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring following a brief retirement.

In an interview with Las Vegas Review-Journal, Arum confirmed the location of Pacquiao’s comeback fight.

According to the same report, Arum had to sit down and talk to University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy last week about using the campus arena as the school’s basketball varsity team was scheduled to have an exhibition game against New Mexico Highlands on the same date. 

After Murphy discussed it over with UNLV head coach Marvin Menzies, Arum received the green light from the university’s management. 

“Over the weekend we talked to her and she told us, ‘OK,’ and was able to do it,” Arum stated. “It’s great for the university because it’s good publicity and good income from the boxing match.” 

Arum initially reserved the Mandalay Bay Events Center on October 15, but Pacquiao’s senatorial duties compelled him to adjust the date. 

Arum then looked to secure the MGM Grand Garden Arena as the site, but he was denied to book an event as both the October 29 and November 5 dates have already been taken. 

“They tried hard, but they had nothing available. They really tried, but couldn’t do it. There was nothing available. We couldn’t even get an arena for December,” Arum said.

Pacquiao is no stranger to the Thomas & Mack Center as he fought twice at the 18,000-capacity arena, winning his last two matches against Erik Morales in January and November of 2006. This will be Pacquiao’s first fight to not take place in a casino since his 2010 bout against Antonio Margarito.

No opponent for Pacquiao has been named yet, but Arum has WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas and the winner of the title unification bout between Terence Crawford and Viktor Postol in mind. All 3 are promoted by Top Rank. 

Pacquiao announced his retirement from boxing this past April after winning a 12-round unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley Jr in their rubber match. 

However, the 37-year-old southpaw from General Santos City later changed his tone and stated that his love for the sport had not faded after winning one of the 12 senatorial seats in the recently-concluded Philippine elections. 

“When you put your passion and your dedication in one sport, you cannot say you’re leaving that sport if your passion is there,” Pacquiao told Agence France-Presse. – Rappler.com