'Inspired' Pacquiao opens training camp

MANILA, Philippines – Determined to win another world title, Manny Pacquiao officially started training Monday in his hometown of General Santos City for his July 15 fight against WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse.

Under the supervision of his close friends Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri, Pacquiao worked out at the Wild Card Gym in General Santos City, hitting the mitts, pounding the heavy bag, and capping everything off with the usual ab workout.

The Filipino icon challenges Matthysse at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia after a year of inactivity.

Pacquiao last saw action in July 2017 against Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia, losing his WBO welterweight title in a rough outing. He is expecting another tough gig against the dangerous Matthysse, who is hailed for having a high knockout percentage.

“I am excited to return to the ring once again and face a dangerous champion in a difficult and challenging fight,” Pacquiao said of Matthysse, who has knocked out 36 of the 39 opponents he defeated.

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

The 39-year-old Pacquiao opened training camp earlier than usual thanks to the senate break, confident that he’ll be able to return to his winning ways given the longer preparation time.

Pacquiao, through his MP Promotions, is co-promoting the title bout with Oscar Dela Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Matthysse.

Dubbed “Fight of Champions,” the Pacquiao-Matthysse showdown is also being tagged as the biggest boxing match in Malaysia since Muhammad Ali faced Joe Bugner in Kuala Lumpur 43 years ago.