Laffer avait raison (encore une fois)

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Manny Pacquiao chooses Brandon Rios as next opponent
Los Angeles Times

Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring Nov. 23 against Oxnard’s Brandon Rios at the Venetian Macao resort, his promoter and lead advisor announced Monday. The welterweight fight will be televised by HBO pay-per-view.

Although Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 knockouts) and Rios (31-1-1, 23 KOs) are coming off losses in their most recent fights, veteran promoter Bob Arum said the desire to match the two free swingers against each other was impossible to resist and should produce a strong audience.

“We felt with Rios, based on his past of being an [active] competitor would make this a great fight against Manny,” Arum said. “It’s a fight people want to see. Most boxing fans want to see guys mix it up.

By going to China and not Las Vegas, Pacquiao can avoid paying hefty U.S. taxes that Arum claimed would subtract up to 40% of his purse. The Macao venue played host to an event this year, and Arum is convinced the gambling locale will bring hefty riches to the event.