After dominating Timothy Bradley to win by unanimous decision in April, Manny Pacquiao retired from boxing and focused on campaigning for a senate seat in the Philippines.
Pacquiao won the senate seat and in September he decided to return to the sport that helped him earn the political position. Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs) will challenge Jessie Vargas (27-1, 10 KOs) for the WBO welterweight title on Saturday (Top Rank PPV, 9 p.m. ET) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The 37-year old Pacquiao hasn't committed to anything beyond the Vargas fight. Vargas, 27, knocked out former U.S. Olympian Sadam Ali in the ninth round to win the vacant WBO title. He is an 8-to-1 underdog in the biggest fight of his career in his hometown. Vargas has been cool, calm and collected throughout the week and knows what a victory would do for his career.
"It would definitely put me on the worldwide stage, make me that boxing star that I have been looking forward to being," Vargas said to ESPN.com. "I have been waiting for this for a long time and I'm glad it's here and I am going to take advantage of it.
"The only fighters to beat Manny Pacquiao have become legends themselves. So I plan to become one of the few to beat Manny Pacquiao and also become one of the legends."
A win by Pacquiao nets him another world title while a Vargas victory would make him a superstar.
Here is everything you need to know about Pacquiao vs. Vargas.
What time will Pacquiao vs. Vargas take place?
The pay-per-view portion of the Nov. 5 card begins at 9 p.m. ET. Pacquiao and Vargas are expected to enter the ring about 11:30 ET.
What TV channel is airing Pacquiao vs. Vargas?
You can watch Pacquiao vs. Vargas only on Top Rank pay-per-view.
Where can I watch Pacquiao vs. Vargas online?
You can watch Pacquiao vs. Vargas on TopRank.TV.
Who is fighting on the card of Pacquiao vs. Vargas?
— Jessie Vargas (27-1, 10 KOs) vs. Manny Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs), 12 rounds, for Vargas' welterweight title
— Oscar Valdez (20-0, 18 KOs) vs. Hiroshige Osawa (30-3-4, 19 KOs), 12 rounds, for Valdez's featherweight world title
— Nonito Donaire (37-3, 24 KOs) vs. Jessie Magdaleno (23-0, 17 KOs), 12 rounds, for Donaire's junior featherweight world title
— Zou Shiming (8-1, 2 KOs) faces Prasitsak Papoem (39-1-2, 24 KOs) for the vacant WBO flyweight world title.
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