No slowing down for comeback kid
MANNY Pacquiao says that despite a punishing schedule which includes juggling two high-profile jobs in the buildup to his return to the boxing ring, he has still managed to maintain his fire for the sport.
Now that the Philippine Senate is on a break, the boxing legend says he is finally able to start training in earnest to face World Boxing Organisation welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas.
Three months after ending his brief ring retirement, Pacquiao is in the final weeks of preparations for the fight on November 5.
“It can be very difficult if you are not disciplined, but I feel good,” the recently elected senate member Pacquiao said on Wednesday at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
“Every day I was able to run in the morning and then train after the senate session.
“It is important to win this fight convincingly to prove that I am still there.”
Pacquiao’s long-time trainer, Freddie Roach, said the 37year-old’s continued success was a result of the hard work in the gym.
“His work ethic is still the greatest I have ever seen,” Roach said.
“I am amazed that after 15 years of working together he still has that passion.
“He still has the speed and power.
“Manny will punch this guy out.” Pacquiao looked impressive in April when he dominated Timothy Bradley in their third fight.
If he gets past Vargas, as many think he will, Pacquiao could be looking at a fight against unbeaten Terence Crawford next year.
“He’s like a young Floyd Mayweather,” promoter Bob Arum said of Crawford.
After getting his first taste of retirement, Pacquiao said he made a mistake and had no plans to go back to that lonely place.
“I told them that when I feel lazy in training it is time to hang up my gloves,” he said.
Roach said from what he had seen over the last few weeks that day was in the distant future.
“I have an agreement with him that when I see him slip he will retire,” Roach said.
“This is the best I have seen Manny in training camp in a long time. I had to take a couple of days off because my shoulder was so sore from him punching me.”
The way Pacquiao has been able to juggle 14-hour days in the Philippines backs up the notion he could continue to fight for some time at a high level. In a typical day, he says, he wakes up for a 7am run.
He has to be at the Senate at 10am for meetings and then the afternoon sessions run until 5pm.
He goes to the gym in the evening and works out until 9pm before heading home.
“His training is limited to running in the morning and training late at night.
“It is hardly an ideal situation but he feels he can do it,” Arum said.
Pacquiao is fighting a relatively unknown boxer in Vargas and Roach said he had only seen video of him.
Pacquiao said: “People say it is going to be an easy fight for me, but whenever I underestimate my opponent it is trouble for me.”
‘ His work ethic is still the greatest I have ever seen