Manny Pacquiao Returns to MGM Grand on December 8 to Face Foe

Eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is returning to MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on December 8, to face his chosen foe.

According to ABS-CBN News, Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum told Brad Cooney of 8countnews.com, that Pacquiao has finally chosen his next opponent, but he declined to reveal his name, saying an official announcement will be made over the weekend.

Arum said there is plenty of time to prepare for the fight, noting the date for Pacquiao's ring return originally scheduled for November 10, has been moved to December 8.

“December is a long, long time so we have plenty of time. Manny will be coming over to this country by 14-15 of September so we'll do the tour and the press conference right after the Chavez-Martinez fight,” he said. 

Pacquiao is coming off a loss to unbeaten Palm Spring boxing sensation Timothy Bradley, who snatched Pacquiao's WBO welterweight crown in a controversial ruling by two of the three judges who gave the fight to Bradley despite overwhelming fight statistics to validate Pacquiao's victory by a wide margin.

Bradley is hoping for another lucrative fight with Pacquiao in a rematch, but Arum said Bradley is unpopular with the pay-per-view market which is important to make the fight commercially viable.

While Arum made specific instructions not to divulge Pacquiao's next opponent at this time, all indications point to a fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.

Prior to his loss to Bradley, Pacquiao fought the Mexican counterpuncher in a trilogy bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas last year. Pacquiao won via majority decision, but Marquez claimed he was again robbed of his victory for the third time.

The Pacquiao-Marquez ring-rivalry dates back to their first encounter in 2004 when they fought to a controversial draw in a featherweight bout (126 pounds). 

In 2008, at super featherweight (130 pounds), Marquez and Pacquiao clashed again in a hotly contested rematch in which Pacquiao earned a split-decision victory. Pacquiao's third-round knockdown of Marquez must have influenced the decision of the judges, as they gave the winning score to the Filipino boxing star.

Speculations are high Marquez will again bag another lucrative fight with Pacquiao on December 8.