Pacquiao reports for ‘work’

Manny Pacquiao showed up for “work” Monday and left a lasting impression on those who were there to see him display his vintage moves.

In what was the kickoff for his training camp for a six-round exhibition match with Thai kickboxing legend Buakaw Banchamek on 20 April, Pacquiao did shadowboxing and abdominal exercises inside his sprawling new house in General Santos City.

Sean Gibbons, who heads the Pacquiao-owned MP Promotions, was right there to watch the eightdivision champion do his thing.

“Man, that footwork of his…” exclaimed Gibbons, noting how Mexican icons Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera got messed up trying to figure out Pacquiao’s lightning-quick moves.

Presiding over Pacquiao’s morning workout were old hands Roger Fernandez and Jonathan Peñalosa and a handful of assistants.

At 45, Pacquiao is officially retired from professional boxing but if there’s a golden opportunity for a comeback, he would likely reconsider.

The last time Pacquiao fought in the pros, Yordenis Ugas of Cuba beat him on points in Las Vegas more than two years ago.

By the time Pacquiao announced his retirement after the Ugas fight, he had logged a 62-8-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts.

But in December 2022 in Seoul, Pacquiao climbed the ring and faced mixed-martial expert DK Yoo.

Unlike Yoo, Buakaw poses serious threats to Pacquiao even in an exhibition bout using Western-style boxing.

At 41, Buakaw is a veteran of 280 kickboxing matches. He won a total of 241 in a career that saw him fight all over the world.