Pacquiao returning to ring vs. Provodnikov for April exhibition

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Manny Pacquiao isn’t done with boxing yet and will return to the ring on April 18 to face former junior welterweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov in a 10-round welterweight exhibition.

Pacquiao, 47, last fought July 19 against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, losing by majority draw. Two of the judges scored it a draw and Max DeLuca awarded Barrios a 115-113 victory.

The loss dropped Pacquiao’s record to 62-9-2.

“Returning to Las Vegas means so much to me, and I’m excited to work with a team focused on creating a world-class experience for the fans,” Pacquiao said in a statement. “I’m coming back to give them a great fight — and I’m ready.”

The bout will be at the Thomas & Mack Center, which hosted a number of notable fights in the 1990s before the construction of MGM Grand Garden Arena and then T-Mobile Arena that became the primary homes for Las Vegas’ top matches.

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AP boxing: https://apnews.com/boxing