GEN. SANTOS CITY—Manny Pacquiao swears his speed is back and so are the hard punches after the conclusion of his gym work here Friday.
Still, Pacquiao wouldn’t guarantee that the long-awaited knockout will come when he dangles his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown against Australian Jeff Horn in Brisbane on July 2.
“Let’s see,” said Pacquiao. “We can’t underestimate our opponent, he’s unbeaten (16 wins, one draw, 11 knockouts). What I did was to make sure that I’m 100 percent (fit and ready) for the fight.”
With the way he performed in his six rounds of sparring, three each against Filipino Sonny Katiandagho and Aussie George Kambosos, it was evident that Pacquiao was holding back for the 12-round bout set at the 52,500-seat Suncorp Stadium.
Reason: Pacquiao admitted that his 38-year-old body is no longer responding the same way it used to when he was younger.
“I tried to push myself, but I felt differently when I was 20 to 25 year old. Back then, when you work hard in training, overnight you’ll already be fully recovered. But now, as you age, when you work hard it would take time to recover your strength. So more rest, yes.”
For now, however, Pacquiao feels ready to wage war against Horn.
“I’m already in fight mode. I’m focused.”
Chief trainer Freddie Roach and strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune agree.
That’s why they decided to cancel Saturday’s training so that Pacquiao can rest for the direct flight to Brisbane, via a chartered Air Asia A333 jet, set at 11 a.m.
Pacquiao will take a break Sunday, before getting back to the gym in Brisbane on Monday for his final four-round sparring.
Though Roach said Friday’s sparring wasn’t the best among the 118 rounds they’ve spent thus far, he expressed elation that he’s seeing traces of the Pacquiao of old. Happy, fiery, feisty.
“I see the old Manny, I like what I’m seeing,” said Roach.
Pacquiao was again in a jovial mood, telling Fortune “I love this game,” as he was skipping rope.
“If you love what you are doing you never get tired of doing it. I’ve been doing this for 25 years.”