Pacquiao next fight: Pacman wants next bout to be in the Philippines; lists 4 possible opponents

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Nov 07, 2015 04:49 AM EST

Many Pacquiao has just recently made his intentions clear to his promoter and Top Rank honcho Bob Arum. The next fight, which was tentatively scheduled on April 9, 2016, will also be his last. The former BWAA's Fighter of the Decade and world champion in an unprecedented eight-division titles is planning to finally hang his gloves up and concentrate in the local politics where he would be running for a seat in the Philippine senate come May 2016 polls.

It seems like the Pac-Man would want to, somehow, give back to his fellow countrymen and perform his swan song before the whole nation, which has embraced him as a local hero over the years. If the Filipino boxer would have his way, he would want the idea of having his final duty on the ring in his homeland, with the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena as a likely venue.

In his recent and first-ever visit to Dubai, UAE, Pacquiao spoke of the possibility in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News. "I haven't talked to Bob Arum yet," he said in his native tongue. "The fight could be held in the Philippines, if possible."

This was not the first time Pacquiao has revealed his desire to fight in the Philippines for his 2016 boxing match. Back in September, he also told Inquirer Sports that there were some people to whom they were talking to so that his next fight would be held in the Philippines and he added that it could be a great idea.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao's next opponent is another detail of the fight that he and Arum would have to figure out. In a report from Emirates 24/7, the fighting congressman from the Philippines said that his open to fighting British boxer and former spar mate Amir Khan, amid claims from the latter's camp that they have already inked a contract to fight Pacquiao.

"I've not talked to Bob Arum yet, but it's possible. Of course, if there is no problem about the negotiation then why not," he said. But, Khan is just one of the fighters Pacquiao's camp has in mind.

"We have Amir Khan, Danny Garcia, Terrence Crawford or Timothy Bradley. But I don't know yet, a lot of names have been given to me by my promoter Bob Arum. Not yet. We are yet to finalise anything," Pacquiao also told Emirates 24/7 during his visit in Dubai to take part in a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) game and have a meet-and-greet with his fans.

PBA is the local professional basketball league in the Philippines where Pacquiao is also serving as Mahindra Enforcers' playing coach. The league holds international games from time to time for the benefit of the many Filipinos working abroad.

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