MANNY PACQUIAO, 42 years old, is proving that the ball is still in its court by maintaining his amazing physique through 'daily’ basketball games.
Before he retired in 2018, the boxing legend played pro basketball in the Philippines.
Manny Pacquiao, 42 years old, in an amazing physique
The legend at 5ft 4in continues to shoot hoops, and despite his age, he enters his 72nd fight looking as fit as ever at 42.
He will be, as Errol Spence Jr., the unbeaten WBC and IBF champion in welterweights, will be dethroned on August 21.
Before their 37th fight, Pacquiao is reunited with his long-time coach, Hall of Famer Freddie Roach in California.
Roach must plead with Roach to allow his ageing body to rest.
That is the main difference between the PacMan who first entered his WildCard gym 20 years ago and the PacMan who enters it now.
Pacquiao spoke exclusively to SunSport, saying that he feels great. Between training camps, I'm always active which keeps me in great shape.
"I enjoy playing basketball every day, which is great exercise. I pay attention to my body.
"If I feel that taking a day off of training will help my body heal, I will take a full day off.
"The next day I feel as good as new and can give everything Freddie asks me at the gym.
"Freddie encourages me to spend more time training. This is the only thing that has changed from when I was younger."
In 2001 Pacquiao walked in to Roach's gym for the first time. They won their first fight together, winning the super-bantamweight title in the world.
PacMan quickly became a national sensation Stateside, with his incredible hand and foot speed wowing those who viewed him.
Twenty years later, Roach is still as devastating as ever as he tries to reconcile the differences between Pacquiao and the man he met when he was first introduced to him.
He stated that he was very similar to the other guy. His footwork, hand speed, and power are all very impressive.
"I haven't seen him in the past two years, but he has been sending me tapes from all his workouts. I then sent him my thoughts and suggestions on what I should do.
Spence is still a hard worker, his work ethic and sparring partner are great.
"I had no choice but to get rid one. He was too much of an runner and Spence isn't a runner. He'll stand and fight.
"But there is one thing that Manny Pacquiao can be certain of - he will stand up and fight back."
Pacquiao will be out of the ring for over two years when he challenges Spence to win Spence's titles.
Since beating Keith Thurman (32), on points in July 2019, he has not been seen again.
His comeback fight against the coronavirus has been delayed, leaving him housebound at home in the Philippines.
Pacquiao, however, has been increasing his political campaign in preparation for a potential presidential bid in 2022.
Rumours suggest that the legend of boxing has only two more fights before closing the book on one of the most storied careers in history.
Although he cannot speak for himself about how long he's been gone, a hint was made that he might fight Spence TWICE.
He replied, "That's a great question to which I don't know the answer." Let's see what happens in this fight.
"I don't look past Errol Spence. Who knows? "Our fight could be so great that fans will demand a replay."
Pacquiao's retirement is also dependent on the deal he made with Roach. However, there is no danger that it will be called a day yet.
Roach stated that he made a deal ten years ago with Roach.
"I said to Mama, "Manny, when it's all over and I tell you it's done, I want you retire. I don't want any bulls ***.
"I told him, 'I don’t want to see your get hurt in the game'. He said the other day, "Freddie, are you an old man yet?"
"I said, "No...not yet!" "
