Tuesday 6 March 2018 17:31, UK
Boxing great Manny Pacquiao says his next fight will be in Malaysia against either world champion Lucas Matthysse or Danny Garcia.
The 39-year-old has rejected a chance to fight Mike Alvarado on the undercard of the Jeff Horn-Terence Crawford fight in the US in April.
The legendary southpaw told ABS-CBN television in the Philippines that his camp had narrowed the choices down to WBA welterweight champion Matthysse of Argentina, or the American former WBA super-welterweight and WBC welterweight champ Garcia, who was unbeaten until last year.
Pacquiao, who is also a senator in the Philippines, said: "Malaysia is where we will fight. If not May, this coming June, maybe third week of June, so the preparation will not conflict with my work."
Pacquiao, who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions, previously said he was eyeing an April date with Ukraine's super-featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko, during a break from his senatorial duties.
Asked why he would fight in Malaysia, Pacquiao said: "Because those in Malaysia appealed to also have a fight there."
Pacquiao is a national hero in the Philippines but his incredible career is drawing to a close and he lost his WBO welterweight title to the Australian Horn last year, to leave his record standing at 59 wins, seven losses and two draws.
In January, Pacquiao rejected calls to retire for good, saying he did not believe his recent losses tarnished his record.
