Los Angeles.- Manny Pacquiao He declared on Wednesday that his long break in boxing has revived his passion for this sport, while preparing for his reappearance next month against the American Mario Barrios for the Welter title of the World Council (CMB).
The 46 -year -old Filipino boxing icon will face Barrios, WBC champion, July 19 in Las Vegasfour years after his last fight ended in defeat.
Pacquiao prepares with veteran coach Freddie Roach for the struggle next month and spoke with journalists on Wednesday while exercising at the Wild Card gymnasium of the member of the Hall of Fame, in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
“Four years of rest have been good for me,” Pacquiao said after exhibiting an impressive hand speed in an open pads session.
“I’ve been in boxing for so many decades, so it’s good for my body to rest for four years. Now that I have returned, I want to fight to fight. I’m hungry to fight in a great fight like this. Work hard, have discipline, all that,” he said.
“I’ve missed boxing. I feel that passion, fire in my eyes, work hard … They are still there,” he said.
The pugilist laureate said that, although his recovery times were now slightly longer, he had not noticed any downturn in his physical condition.
“I am fast, I can move as before. I can run in the mountains with the young boxers, so I am happy,” he said.
“I am enjoying this training field. There are a couple of adjustments for body recovery. We have to control the body, give my body time to rest and recover,” he explained.
Pacquiao, who won twelve world titles in eight different weight categories during a brilliant professional career that began in 1995, refused to pronounce on whether his return next month would be a farewell fight or only the first step of a complete return to sport.
“It’s hard to say,” he said when asked about future struggles. “Now I’m back, so one by one, after this fight we can plan what we want.”
Criticism
For some in boxing, however, his return to the ring represents an unnecessary risk.
British promoter Eddie Hearn was the last to question the convenience of return at the beginning of this month, predicting that Barrios, 30, is “too young and too strong” for the Filipino.
Pacquiao smiled on Wednesday when his response to Hearn’s statements was asked.
“You just have to see on July 19,” he said. “It will be a good fight.”
