Pacquaio to fight one more time

MANILA // The boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who is awaiting formal proclamation as a newly elected congressman in the Philippines, will enter the ring again in November, his aide told The Associated Press today. Michael Koncz, Pacquiao's chief financial adviser, said that no opponent has been selected yet, amid speculation it could be Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Antonio Margarito. He said that two dates ? November 6 and 13 ? have been set aside for the fight at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. "There is no named opponent yet, but that is certainly when we will fight," Koncz said. He said no negotiations are taking place with any of the potential rivals of Pacquiao, who is headed for a landslide win in Monday's vote in his southern Sarangani province. The boxing world is eager for a clash between Pacquiao and Mayweather, not only the world's two top welterweights but widely regarded as the two contenders for the unofficial title of pound-for-pound champion. A planned bout fell through in March when the Filipino champion refused blood testing conditions set by the Mayweather camp. "If Mayweather wants to fight Manny, then no problem, provided he doesn't try to bully us into terms and conditions," Koncz said. Pacquiao will fight under the rules of the commission of the US state where the fight is held, he said. Koncz said Pacquiao could also fight whoever wins the June 4 bout between Yuri Foreman and Miguel Cotto, whom Pacquiao defeated in November. According to Koncz, the "television date and the venue are the two most important things" in setting up a fight, even before an opponent is identified, as was the case when Pacquiao fought Joshua Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium in March. Pacquiao won by an unanimous decision. Earlier, Pacquiao told the AP that the decision to return to the ring was up to his mother, Dionisia. The ABS-CBN television news website reported Wednesday he got his mother's permission to fight "one more time." Pacquiao and his mother could not immediately be reached for comment. * AP