TOKYO - Filipino boxer and Senator Manny Pacquiao said he would carry on fighting next year after unveiling a new boxing gym in downtown Tokyo on Friday.
The 37-year-old southpaw returned to the ring after a seven month retirement to claim the WBO welterweight title by beating Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas earlier this month.
"I think about it, I can still fight and my body is still okay so I decided to come back and I'm here, my journey is continued," Pacquiao said in the Japanese capital.
The southpaw has a 59-6-2 win-loss-draw record and is the winner of world titles in eight different weight divisions and the first sitting Senator to win a world boxing title.
The new 'Pacquiao Gym', a collaboration with Japanese business man Yoshihiro Agata, will open in the new year and the Filipino said it was an opportunity to pass on his experience.
"(I opened this gym) to help the people to do exercise and also...to discover a good boxer," Pacquiao said. "I can share my knowledge about boxing and my talents. I can teach them."
IN OTHER NEWS: Tom Stokes is hoping for an early birthday present when he competes for the British Challenge Middleweight title against Cristian Hoskin-Gomez on Black Country Boxing’s ‘Festive Fight Night’ show at the Holiday Inn in Birmingham City Centre, on 1st December writes James Eley.
Hoskins-Gomez secured the belt by defeating Tom Duff in his twenty fifth contest in his hometown of Plymouth last month but the West Bromwich boxer is confident of snatching it straight from him.
Stokes turns 22 later in the month and insists the Challenge belt is the only thing on his birthday wish-list this year.
“I don’t think his experience will help him much against me,” he said. “ I think he is a one-dimensional fighter that just comes forward and I know I can deal with that. I think my boxing experience and talent will definitely come through on the night.
“My birthday is on the 13th of December so it will be great to get the belt so close to that. It will give me time to relax and enjoy Christmas too.
“I am buzzing to be challenging for a belt. I just can’t wait to finish my camp off now and get in there and do the business.
“I feel ready without a doubt. I wanted to step up and get on to the next level and this is what I want to give me that extra push. I see this belt as the start of my career. I can only go up from here and I am looking at Midlands and English titles next year so it is an exciting time.”
It will be the first time Stokes, sponsored by Alliance Scaffold where he plies his trade during the week, has stepped up to eight rounds. However, he is adamant he will judge the distance perfectly in the battle of the 21-year-old’s.
The undefeated fighter has had all his previous bouts at Walsall Town Hall but is relishing the change of scenery against the Devonshire boxer.
“I know I will be fine with the eight round length,” he added. “In preparation I have done lots of eight rounder’s to make sure I have the stamina for it.
“I will have to pace it more than you do with four rounds. You don’t want to go in there and go all out in the first few rounds and leave yourself empty for the rest of the fight. But I am confident I will get it right.
“I will still be the home fighter in Birmingham so it will be great to have the home crowd behind me. I have sold quite a few tickets already so that is nice and it will help me out on the night for sure.”
Undefeated Wednesbury welterweight, Sam Evans (6-0), and former Team GB star, Ekow Essuman (debut), are also in action as guests will enjoy three pro fights, a two course meal and an after dinner talk with Ireland’s most successful fighter, Steve Collins.
