Philippines, 03 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Pacman?s build-up program starts Monday


PhilBoxing.com




KUALA LUMPUR ? The road to wining another world title begins Monday when Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao returns to the road for the first time in nine months in preparation for his coming fight against World Boxing Association welterweight belt-owner Lucas Matthysse of Argentina.

The 39-year-old Pacquiao, now a senator, who has so far won 11 world titles in eight weight divisions, will be challenging Matthysse for the latter?s 147-pound plum on July 15 (July 14 in the U.S.) at the Axiata Arena here in the hope of regaining his glorious days as champion deprived him by Australian Jeff Horn who dethroned him of the World Boxing Organization version of the same category July 2 last year in Brisbane.

No less than Pacquiao himself told this writer of starting his training during breakfast Friday after arriving in this Malaysian capital following a four-hour trip from Manila on board a Philippine Airlines chartered flight.

Pacquiao and Matthysse, who was also in the same flight with their respective teams, came here for the second leg of the media tour set late mid-morning Friday at the posh Le Meridien Hotel to promote the July 14 collision.

?Light roadwork lang muna. Halos one year tayong nabakante, baka mabunsol,? Pacquiao said. ?Maybe after a week of roadwork, we can start with the gym regimen of preparation. It depends really on how my body responds. Pahiyang pa lamang kumbaga.?

Buboy Fernandez, who will act as chief trainer in the absence of Pacquiao?s 17-year trainer Freddie Roach, whose fate is still to be decided, agreed.

?Actually, it?s really too early to start training. Three months pa before the fight. But when he suggested that we start right after the presscon, pumayag ako agad kasi na-realize ko kung ano ang gusto niyang mangyari,? Buboy explained.

?Napaka-importante kast talaga na magsimula kami nang maaga. Pare-pareho kaming nawala ang isip at katawan sa boksing. We really have to feel our way back to what we?ve been doing for a long time,? he pointed out.

"We all know naman na Manny plays basketball almost two to three hours daily at tiyak din natin na nasa kondiyon siya. Eh iba naman kasi ang basketball sa boksing," Buboy said. ?Ang basketball leisure at cross-training lang, ang boksing, propesyon.?

When the Senate is in recess, training would be in General Santos City where the Pacman owns a gym. If not, preparation will be in Manila.

Buboy, meanwhile, said he doesn?t mind whether he should play the role as chief trainer as reported. Assistant trainer ako habang buhay ko kaya ang tatrabahuhi ko ay yung nauukol sa pagiging assistant habang wala pang official announcement sa talagang status ni coach Freddie.?

?Pinaka-the best best trainer ay si coach Freddie. Hall of Famer at pitong beses na nagawaran ng karangalang Trainer of the Year. Labing-pitong taon akong understudy ni coach Freddie at inaamin ko naman na napakarmi kong natutuhan sa kanya puwede kong ipatupad.?

?Kapag ang naging opisyal na desisyon ay talagang wala na siya sa amin the pipilitin kong kayahin ang gawaing iaatang sa aking balikat,? Buboy? has been at Pacquiao? beck and call throughout his boxing career vowed.

?Kapag siya pa rin, tatanggapin ko rin, afterall, si Manny pa rin naman ang pagsisilbihan ko. Wala namang kahalagahan ang maging hepe ka o maging assistant ka lamang. Ang importante alam mo ang trabaho at kayang gampanan,? Pacquiao?s boyhood pal and neighbor in their growing up days at Barangay Labangal in General Santos City said.

Photo: Trainer Buboy Fernandez speaks to the media as Manny Pacquiao listens during Friday's press conference at the Le Meridien Hotel in Kuala Lumpur announcing the upcoming for the Pacquiao-Matthysse fight on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.