By Edward Chaykovsky
Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38KOs) has started training for a scheduled return on November 5th, when he challenges World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Jessie Vargas at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao announced his retirement back in April, to pursue a political career, after winning a decision in his trilogy fight with Tim Bradley. In May, Pacquiao won a senatorial seat in the Philippines.
According to Pacquaio's adviser Michael Koncz, the Filipino superstar will begin with some light roadwork as the first stage on the road back.
Because of his senatorial duties, Pacquiao's entire training camp will take place in the Philippines. Koncz is not worried about Pacquiao potentially getting physically burned out by the tough schedule of juggling training and politics.
"It will just be for the purpose of doing away with rustiness and excess muscle Manny developed during the three-month interval following his last fight (against Timothy Bradley) last May," Koncz told Philboxing.com.
"We're still looking for a boxing gym near the Senate building where the Senator can start the gym phase of training maybe two weeks from now as training slowly shifts to high gear. The idea is for Manny not to miss sessions, which he promised the Filipinos even before he was elected to the Senate. There is also the possibility of holding his preparations in his own gym in General Santos City during non-session days."
"After all, sessions are held three times a week from Monday to Wednesday, so, he can fly to GenSan Wednesday evening and workout there Thursday to Saturday. Manny's always been very busy all his life and he always finds time to rest and do more things. He can, for instance, sleep in his Senate office after his early morning roadwork then attend whatever committee meetings there are mid morning and the session in the afternoon. No problem really."