Manny Pacquiao is set to come out of retirement in November just seven months after announcing that he will call it quits. The Filipino boxing icon will reportedly eventually target a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao, who announced his retirement following his victory against Timothy Bradley in April, will likely face Jessie Vargas in November. Aside from the reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight champion, Pacquiao is also being linked to world champions Terence Crawford and Danny Garcia.
While a second showdown with Mayweather is totally out of the picture for November, World Boxing News speculated that Pacquiao's upcoming fight will be some sort of an audition for the blockbuster rematch. A convincing win against a top-caliber fighter could eventually make Mayweather change his stance on facing Pacquiao again.
Mayweather, who owns a perfect 49-0 record, also announced his retirement in September last year, following a unanimous decision win over Andre Berto. The former pound-for-pound king has remained firm on his previous announcement that he will not face Pacquiao again even if he decides to fight again.
Mayweather also said in previous interviews that he is not planning to return anytime soon, but most fans and analysts are still convinced the Grand Rapids native will fight again for a chance to get his 50th win. The 39-year-old reportedly patented TBE 50 and TMT 50, which suggests that he will gun for a 50th victory before retiring for good.
And if Mayweather eventually decides to end his retirement again, Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach recently expressed confidence that Pacquiao could get another shot. The veteran trainer said that the tempting revenue will force both fighters to agree to a rematch.
"I think they both come back because of the money issues," Roach told On The Ropes Boxing Radio. "Manny is too generous and he gives his money away and Mayweather seems to spend a lot of money. He just bought a house in LA. I think the money issue could help both of them."
Mayweather took a unanimous decision victory in the record-breaking fight in May last year. However, fans were left disappointed upon learning that Pacquiao was dealing with a shoulder injury during the bout, which prevented him from giving his best shot in the showdown.
Watch the highlights of the showdown between Pacquiao and Mayweather below.