Manny Pacquiao has reportedly decided to fight WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in November. 

The veteran fighter announced his intention to retire from the sport and pursue a political career in the Philippines following his win over Timothy Bradley in April. However, the 37-year-old is set to return to the ring in the fall, and according to his business manager, Eric Pineda, he’ll take on Vargas.

“Pacquiao has made his decision—it's Vargas,” Pineda told Filipino sports website Spin.ph (h/t Edward Chaykovsky of BoxingScene.com).

It’s noted in the piece that Pacquiao’s Top Rank promoter, Bob Arum, has booked Nov. 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas for the fight. 

In addition, Chaykovsky added that a showdown with Adrien Broner was the Filipino’s first choice, while a possible bout between him and Terence Crawford for November was declined. However, that’s a fight that could be resurrected in 2017.

As reported by boxing journalist Steve Kim, Pacquiao’s potential opponent refused to confirm a deal had been agreed for the two to square off quite yet, although he was excited by the challenge:

It’s a fascinating prospect, as the Filipino continues to show he can compete at the highest level. Pacquiao could have easily walked away from the sport following his loss to Floyd Mayweather and subsequent injury issues in 2015. But he’s battled back tremendously and was in fine form to get the better of Bradley by a unanimous decision.

The challenge will be to maintain those levels after so much wear and tear, not to mention the fact that age is beginning to catch up with the eight-weight world champion. However, his manager Michael Koncz has said there was no doubt Pacquiao would quickly come back to the ring.

“Retirement doesn’t suit Manny right now,” Koncz said, per Reuters via the Guardian. “Boxing is in his blood. When he trains, it’s like a pressure-release valve. You can see a dramatic difference in his mood... he’s happy.”

Vargas should be a game opponent for Pacquiao and was impressive in knocking out the formerly unbeaten Sadam Ali in his previous fight. He’s only suffered one defeat in his 28-fight career, against Bradley in 2015.

However, the FightNights.com Twitter feed suggested it should be Crawford, not Vargas, stepping up to the Filipino:

Either way, it’ll be intriguing to see Pacquiao in the ring with a man who has a lot to prove. The 37-year-old has an infectious enthusiasm for boxing and a vibrant fighting style that’ll ensure plenty tune in for this one. A strong performance would make a potential showdown with Crawford all the more absorbing too.

Vargas will feel as though he has the skills to cause Pacquiao problems, though, and will be a stern test for the iconic puncher in his first fight since coming out of retirement.