Manny Pacquiao to fight Lucas Matthysse on June 24 in Malaysia

Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring against WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse in Malaysia on June 24.

GMA News' Mav Gonzales, citing information from the fighter's information officer, reported that Pacquiao's MP Promotions will co-promote the event with Golden Boy Promotions.

The MP Promotions of Sen. Manny Pacquiao and the Golden Boy Promotions of boxing legend Oscar Dela Hoya will stage the Pacquiao-Matthysse World Boxing Association Welterweight title fight in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 24.

— Mav Gonzales (@mavgonzales) March 8, 2018

The 39-year-old Pacquiao, who also serves as senator, supposedly selected the date so his training and the fight would not interfere with his duties as a public official.

He will begin training in April in General Santos before moving to Manila from May 14 to June 1. He will finish up his training again in General Santos from June 2.

Pacquiao has not fought since losing to Jeff Horn in controversial fashion in Brisbane, Australia last July.

Matthysse, 35, who had previously campaigned in the light welterweight division, won the vacant WBA title after defeating Thailand Tewa Kiram in January. —JST, GMA News