Vegas remains Pacman’s preferred fight site

HOLLYWOOD – Manny Pacquiao still wants Las Vegas as venue of his next fight.

Pacquiao wants Sin City – whoever and whenever he fights.

“I still like Vegas. I want to fight there,” said Pacquiao, still fresh from an impressive win over erstwhile undefeated Timothy Bradley last Saturday at the MGM.

Pacquiao loves Vegas and will always will.

It’s been very kind to Pacquiao since he set foot in the city of neon lights in 2001.

As a late replacement, he stunned African Lehlo Ledwaba with a sixth-round TKO to win the IBF super-bantamweight title, his second world title.

Pacquiao went on to provide boxing’s most exciting fights in Las Vegas and in the process became the only fighter in history to win world titles in eight different weight classes.

He fought Erik Morales thrice and Juan Manuel Marquez four times in Las Vegas. It was also in Vegas where he used Marco Antonio Barrera as a stepping stone, and where he rose to the occasion against Oscar dela Hoya.

Pacquiao has fought 16 times in Las Vegas and 11 times at the MGM.

“This is where I started. I like the crowd in Vegas,” said Pacquiao, who just brings so much excitement every time he fights in the gambling capital of the world.

Vegas needs Pacquiao.

After the Filipino icon was knocked out by Marquez in December 2012, Pacquiao stayed away and didn’t fight for nearly a year.

And when he decided to plunge back into action, he chose Macau as venue of his non-title fight against Mexican-American Brandon Rios.

Pacquiao beat Rios as expected.

Then he knew it was time to return to the scene of his career’s greatest moments. Before 15,601 fans he defeated Bradley in a rematch of their 2012 match.

Pacquiao said he felt the crowd rooting for him last Saturday at the MGM.

 â€œI was very surprised,” he said of the crowd support.

 â€œI feel like I was in the Philippines. Even the Mexicans and the Americans cheered for me. I’m thankful to the fans,” he said.

Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, said Pacquiao may fight again in Macau or any other place in the world.

They’re looking at November as the date of Pacquiao’s next fight against either Marquez or Mike Alvarado, who climb the ring on May 17 at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

But really there’s nothing concrete yet.

“I want Vegas. But it’s not final,” said Pacquiao.

If he could have his way, he’d fight next in the city that loves him most.