LAS VEGAS: Filipino southpaw Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring on Dec. 8 for a fourth battle against long-time rival Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico, the fight’s promoters said on Friday.
The two fighters, who last met in November when Pacquiao beat Marquez with a controversial majority decision, will meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Top Rank said in a statement.
Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 knockouts) has fought just once since then, surrendering his WBO welterweight title on a hotly disputed split decision to American Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas in June. Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs) and Pacquiao are renowned for their aggressive approach in the ring and they fought to a draw when they first met in May 2004.
The Mexican then lost his WBC super-featherweight title to the Filipino in a controversial one-point split decision in March 2008.
Ten months ago, Pacquiao was tested to the full in their third encounter before narrowly retaining his WBO welterweight title after his preparations had been hampered by various distractions, including marital difficulties.
Meanwhile, Ricky Hatton’s father was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his son the day before the British boxer announced his comeback, the BBC reported on Saturday.
Ray Hatton, 61, was given a police caution after the alleged incident outside Ricky Hatton’s health and fitness gym in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Thursday.
Hatton, 33, and his father traded punches following a heated argument, the Independent newspaper reported.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “Shortly before 11:45 BST on Thursday, police received reports that there had been a fight involving two men outside a health and fitness club on Market Street.
“A 33-year-old man was assaulted by a 61-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of common assault and subsequently given a police caution.” The statement said the 33-year-old man was not injured.
Hatton, the former welterweight and light-welterweight world champion, confirmed on Friday he would return to professional boxing with a fight against an unnamed opponent in Manchester in November.
He retired with a record of 45-2 (32KO) after a devastating two-round knockout by Manny Pacquiao in May 2009. He checked into a rehabilitation center in London in 2010 after being the subject of allegations of cocaine abuse.
Pacquiao, Marquez fight set for Dec. 8
