WIN or lose, Manny Pacquiao will fly home right away following his 12-round title fight against Keith Thurman in time for the annual State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The 40-year-old Filipino fighting senator will leave Las Vegas early Sunday morning (U.S. time), a few hours after his welterweight championship showdown with Thurman at the MGM Grand, according to close adviser Sean Gibbons.
Pacquiao will be travelling on a 12-seat private plane together with some close aides on his way back to Manila to attend the fourth SONA of President Duterte on Monday.
The eight-time world division champion is a staunch supporter of the President. He even served as campaign manager of PDP-Laban during the last national elections.
Pacquiao’s brothers Bobby and Rogelio won't able to watch the Thurman fight as they are scheduled to head back to Manila earlier (July 17 and 18) to attend a Congress meeting the morning of the SONA.
Ruel won a second term as representative of the lone district of Sarangani, while Bobby, a former pro fighter and General Santos City councilor, was also elected in Congress through the party-list OFW Family Club.
Pacquiao’s entire entourage already arrived in Las Vegas from Los Angeles on Tuesday (Manila time) for fight week.
Before leaving Los Angeles, the Filipino ring legend sparred four rounds for the last time after jogging around Griffith Park for almost an hour.
Following the traditional grand arrival at the MGM Grand, Pacquiao and the unbeaten Thurman will meet on Thursday for the final presser of the fight.
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