Manny Pacquiao is back in the lab.
The eight-division boxing world champion and Senator has begun his first U.S. training camp in nearly two years on Monday for his upcoming fight against Errol Spence, Jr.
Excited to be back at Wild Card Gym with coach Freddie! #PacquiaoSpence pic.twitter.com/2MOqYsTMJe
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) July 6, 2021
“Errol Spence is a very difficult fight for me; perhaps the most difficult of my career,” said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao is looking to pick up right where he left off when he dethroned WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman, on July 20, 2019. The outcome gave “One Time” his first loss.
It only took Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) one day after arriving from the Philippines to start his training routine, beginning the day with a five-mile morning run and 1,000 sit-ups.
On our way to Wild Card Gym to meet the great @FreddieRoach for first day of training camp in Los Angeles. #TeamPacquiao @MannyPacquiao pic.twitter.com/Vny0G52lDk
— David Sisson (@theDavidSisson) July 5, 2021
Pacquiao is in Hollywood, CA, with his consistent trainer, Freddie Roach of the Wild Card Boxing Club, where he spends his afternoon training sessions. Once at Wild Card, Manny and Freddie began the nearly three-hour gym session with nine rounds on the mitts.
A third title is up for grabs on Aug. 21 🏆
IBF and WBC champion Errol Spence Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will now fight to become the first Ring welterweight champion since Floyd Mayweather relinquished the title in Sept. 2015. (via @RingMagazine) pic.twitter.com/5A3HttypzA
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) July 4, 2021
“If this is how Manny hits with jet lag, I may need to get new gloves with thicker padding for our next sessions,” said Freddie Roach. “He was incredibly sharp for his first day. He hit hard with good power. After all these years, I’m still amazed at the great condition he’s in when he comes to training camp.
“After traveling around the world yesterday, he put in a full day here – mitts, speed bag, shadow boxing – the works. The best part was at the end when he lifted his shirt to show me his six pack and said, Freddie, I’m still here.“
I hope master @FreddieRoach isn't mad at me for being late for my first day of training at @WildCardBoxing1. I had to give @Vada_Testing a deposit first. #PacquiaoSpence @PBConFOX
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) July 5, 2021
Manny has already been given a random drug test from VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) at his California residence.
Pacquiao faces his biggest test in the undefeated WBC and IBF Welterweight Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence (27-0, 21 KOs). The two will meet in a blockbuster championship showdown that headlines a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View on Saturday, August 21, from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“I have been an underdog my whole life; I am used to that,” said Pacquiao. “It is why I work so hard. But the love and the prayers of my fellow Philippine citizens and Filipinos around the world sustain and inspire me. I fight for the glory of our nation and for underdogs everywhere.”
