Pacquiao, Matthysse start heavy training

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Lucas Matthysse yesterday sent out fresh video clips of the Argentine welterweight champion pounding the heavy bag while training in Coachella, California.

They were meant to inform Manny Pacquiao that Matthysse has no plans of lagging behind in training as they both prepare for their July 15 clash in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In the short video, which was e-mailed to the press, the 35-year-old Matthysse trained at a gym, with a handful of other boxers, and rained punches on the heavy bag.

It’s less than two weeks after Matthysse and Pacquiao promoted the fight in Manila and Kuala Lumpur, and then parted ways.

“I’m not starting from scratch,” said Matthysse, who trains under the supervision of Joel Diaz. He said he has kept himself busy working out as soon as the fight was sealed.

Pacquiao is on the first full week of serious training in General Santos City. On social media, he had posted pictures of himself sweating it out on the road and in the gym.

Training, he said, had actually begun long before, with countless nights playing basketball with friends.

“I always stay in shape throughout the year playing basketball and exercising,” said Pacquiao.

He said he wants to train 10 weeks for the fight, his first since July last year, and being back in the gym last Monday gave him the same old feeling.

“It’s good to be back in the ring. I love the feeling of stepping back into the ring for training camp. I can’t wait to give the fans a good show,” said the 39-year-old superstar.

Training shifts to high gear in the weeks ahead.