MANNY Pacquiao will climb the ring anew on September 10 to fight Hector Velazquez of Mexico in an explosive HBO doubleheader that also features Erik Morales.
Pacquiao’s next bout was reported by Boxingtalk.com. It was promoter Bob Arum who reportedly confirmed the doubleheader and potential rematch with Morales in December.
Morales, who beat Pacquiao in a bloody battle last March, will meet Olympian Zahir Raheem, whom Arum described as a boxer who has a tough style.
The doubleheader will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. “That’s absolutely correct. I think they’re both in tougher than you think. Zahir Raheem has a tough style for anyone to fight and the guy Pacquiao’s fighting is also a tough customer,” Arum was quoted by Boxingtalk.com as saying.
Pacquiao recently became a free agent when his New Jersey-based promoter Murad Muhammad had agreed to an out-of-court settlement regarding the multi-million lawsuit filed by the Filipino pug.
Velazquez, of Tijuana, Mexico, has a record of 41-10 with 30 KOs. He has fought the likes of Gutty Espadas, Carlos Rios and Kevin Kelly.
