Pacquiao returns to ring vs Kazakh champ

It will be Pacquiao’s first fight in Manila since winning the IBF world title on June 23, 2001 in a sixth-round stoppage of Ledholonolo Ledwaba.

Promoter Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde Jr. earlier eyed World Boxing Association featherweight titleholder Derrick Gainer, then former IBF Superbantamweight titlist Vuyani Bungu to challenge Pacquiao.

But both deals didn’t materialize and Elorde settled for the Kazakh champion.

Manny’s younger brother Bobby will be featured in the main supporting bout against Baby Lorona Jr. Another supporting fight pits Roger Galicia and Johnny Lear, two young Filipino fighters aspiring for the vacant World Boxing Council international bantamweight Championship.

Bungu, who lost the IBF super bantamweight title to Ledwaba, wants to fight Pacquiao only in a title match.

A fight with Gainer likewise failed to materialize with the featherweight champion not available for the March fight.

Bungu, 35, won the IBF 122-pound title in 1994 and made 13 successful defenses before relinquishing the crown to fight for the world featherweight crown in March 2000. Among the challengers Bungu repulsed were Filipino Arnel Barotillo, Danny (Kid) Romero, and Kennedy McKinney whom he dethroned for the IBF title.

Elorde said he offered Bungu a $10,000 purse to fight Pacquiao here but the South African is asking for $15,000. Elorde’s offer included two round-trip tickets from South Africa to Manila and back.

World Boxing Union junior featherweight champion Nedal Hussein, one of only two fighters ever to floor Pacquiao, has agreed to take Bungu’s place but handlers of Pacquiao refused to consider the Australian of Lebanese descent as a possible opponent.

Hussein decked Pacquiao in the fourth round and claimed a long count from referee Carlos Padilla in their Antipolo match in October 2000. Pacquiao got up from the knockdown to stop Hussein on cuts in the 10th round.