REUTERS – Manny Pacquiao will be ready to return to the ring by next March, the Filipino boxer said on Monday while in New York to accept an award.
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Pacquiao is recovering from surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff following his defeat to Floyd Mayweather in May.
Winner of world titles in eight different weight classes, the 36-year-old Pacquiao said earlier this month that he is eyeing one final fight next year before retiring.
“My shoulder is 80 to 90 percent healed and I believe I can start training in November or December so I can fight early next year,” Pacquiao told the New York Daily News while preparing to be honored by the Asia Society on Tuesday.
Pacquiao had formerly expressed interest in a rematch with Mayweather following a fight that did not meet expectations.
Mayweather has said he is now retired after he improved to 49-0 last month.
Pacquiao was asked about possibly facing British fighter Amir Khan as his potential next opponent, but was non-committal.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
