Manny Pacquiao, the “Fighting Senator” from General Santos City, clarified yesterday that nothing is final yet as to who will be his next fight and when it will be held.
But if could have his way, the eight-division boxing champion would love to stage his last dance in front of his kababayans.
“Pangarap ko na magkaroon ako ng isa pang fight dito sa Pilipinas tapos, tapos na,” said Pacquiao during the launching of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at the Aristocrat Restaurant yesterday in Malate, Manila.
Pacquiao said negotiations are still underway regarding his next bout, a development that reportedly angered the Horn Camp.
“Wala pa naman. Hindi pa na-finalize kung sino ang makakalaban ko,” said Pacquiao, who added that he still has a clause in his contract of a rematch against Australian Jeff Horn.
“Negotiation is ongoing so hindi pa rin natin ma-predict kung saan. Pero para sa akin, mas maganda dito sa Pilipinas. Sinisikap natin na dito sa Pilipinas,” added Pacquiao.
Last week, the Department of Tourism announced that the boxing rematch between Pacquiao and Horn will be held in the 52,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The last time Pacquiao competed on local soil was in 2006 against Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Last July, Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight world title in a stunning unanimous 12-round decision to Horn held in Brisbane, Australia.