‘Inspired’ Pacquiao kicks off training camp in GenSan

Manny Pacquiao works the heavy bag as his trainers look on. Aquiles Zonio / MP Promotions

Manny Pacquiao has officially started his training camp for his much-awaited ring return against Lucas Matthysse set on July 15 at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Under the guidance of his trusted friends and longtime trainers Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri, Pacquiao sweat it out at the Wild Card gym in General Santos City.

He began with workout with his regular gym drills before hitting the heavy bag and finishing off with his usual abdominal work routine.

“I am excited to return to the ring once again and face a dangerous champion in a difficult and challenging fight,” said Pacquiao, who lost the WBO welterweight title to Jeff Horn in a hotly-disputed decision last year in Brisbane, Australia.

The 39-year-old Pacquiao aims to prove that he still has a lot left in his tank despite having dropped four of his last nine fights, including a brutal sixth-round knockout at the hands of his fierce rival Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.

“I am inspired as I am also excited to face the champion,” added Pacquiao.

Pacquiao is wary of Matthysse’s power with the hard-hitting Argentine chalking up 36 of his 39 victories in the knockout column.

The eight-division champion, who also works as a Senator, picked the right time to start his preparations with the Senate currently in recess until May 14 to June 1, allowing him to fully focus on his title fight.

Pacquiao goes back in full training mode from June giving him more than a month to prepare even further before fight day.

“The Fight of Champions” is the biggest fight in Malaysia since the great Muhammad Ali fought Joe Bugner in 1975 also in Kuala Lumpur.

Aside from the main event where Matthysse’s WBA welterweight belt in on the line, three other world title fights are set in the undercard including a bout between Jhack Tepora, a rising star from Cebu, and Edivaldo Ortega of Mexico for the IBO featherweight crown.