By Adrian Stewart Co

Senator Manny Pacquiao recently confirmed he would be returning to the boxing ring on July 21, when he challenges American boxer Keith Thurman for the World Boxing Association (WBA) super world welterweight belt. Earlier this year, the Filipino fighter sparred with another American opponent, Adrien Broner, and won via unanimous decision to retain the WBA welterweight title.

Pacquiao made the announcement on social media by tweeting, “The summer just got a little hotter,” accompanied by a photo of a Pacquiao-Thurman poster.

Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions also confirmed the bout.

Since losing to Jeff Horn in a controversial unanimous decision defeat in 2017, Pacquiao has beaten his last two opponents, scoring a technical knockout win over Lucas Matthysse prior to his fight with Broner.

The Filipino boxer comes into the fight with a 61-7-2 win-loss-draw record, with 39 stoppage wins. Meanwhile, Thurman, who is 10 years Pacquiao’s junior, holds a perfect 29-0-0 boxing record, with 22 stoppage wins./ASC, WDJ