Promoter says Pacquiao’s return set for Nov. 5

5:28 PM ET

Manny Pacquiao’s ring return will take place on Nov. 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told ESPN.com. Arum initially was planning for Pacquiao’s return on Oct. 15 but that was ruled out because it conflicted with obligations Pacquiao has in the senate in the Philippines. He was elected to a six-year term in the government body in May, a few weeks after he outpointed Timothy Bradley Jr. in their third fight on April 9 in Las Vegas, after which he announced his retirement.

Few believed the retirement would stick and Arum and Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz said he decided to return, but only as long as he did not have to compromise his senate schedule in order to train.

Arum said the senate will be in recess in the weeks leading up to Nov. 5. Before that, however, Arum said Pacquiao would handle his senate duties by day and train by night.

Arum had narrowed down the return date to Oct. 29 or Nov. 5, dates that worked much better in conjunction with Pacquiao’s senate schedule. But Arum said he was struggling to find an available venue in Las Vegas, where he wanted to stage the bout against an undetermined opponent.

Arum said MGM officials tried to clear other events from their facilities — the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Mandalay Bay Events Center and the T-Mobile Arena — but were not able to. But he said he had success with officials at …

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