Manny Pacquiao says that despite a punishing schedule which includes juggling two high-profile jobs in the build up to his return to the boxing ring, he has still managed to maintain his fire for the sport.
Now that the Philippine Senate is on a break, the boxing legend says he is finally able to start training in earnest to face World Boxing Organisation welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas.
Three months after ending his brief ring "retirement," Pacquiao is in the final weeks of preparations for the fight which will be held November 5 at the Thomas & Mack Centre.
"It can be very difficult if you are not disciplined. But I feel good," the recently-elected Senate member Pacquiao said Wednesday at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. "Every day I was able to run in the morning and then train after the Senate session. The gym is very close to the Senate. It is important to win this fight convincingly to prove that I am still there."
Pacquiao's long-time trainer Freddie Roach said the 37 year-old's continued success is a result of the hard work in the gym.
"His work ethic is still the greatest I have ever seen," Roach said. "I am amazed that after 15 years of working together he still has that passion. He's beating the mitts and beating his sparring partners. He still has the speed and power. Manny will punch this guy out."
Pacquiao looked impressive in April when he dominated Timothy Bradley in their third fight.
After getting his first taste of retirement, Pacquiao says he made a mistake and has no plans to go back to that lonely place.
"I told them that when I feel lazy in training it is time to hang up my gloves," he said.
Roach said from what he has seen over the last few weeks that day is in the distant future.
"I have an agreement with him that when I see him slip he will retire," Roach said. "This is the best I have seen Manny in training camp in a long time. I had to take a couple of days off because my shoulder was so sore from him punching me."
