TOP Rank chief Bob Arum has reserved an October 15 date at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas for Manny Pacquiao should he decide to return to the boxing ring this year.
Arum told Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times he is preparing the date should Pacquiao come out of retirement.
“We have the date. Just to protect ourselves,” Arum said.
The former eight-division world champion had announced that his recent fight against Timothy Bradley was his last.
Arum said he will visit the Philippines on July 4 to discuss with Pacquiao about his boxing future.
“He doesn’t know. He has to see what committees he has, what kind of hearings he has,” Arum said.
Arum made it clear that the possible October 15 fight will definitely not be against Floyd Mayweather.
“Definitely not Mayweather. We’ve been told he’s not ready to fight yet. Otherwise, of course, we’d consider that,” said Arum.
Arum said World Boxing Organization junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford and Adrien Broner are Pacquiao’s potential opponents for October 15.
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