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Op-Ed: Boxing star Manny Pacquiao good for three more years in the sport

Pacquiao hasn’t fought more than two times in a year since his impressive technical win over Oscar de la Hoya at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in 2008. Last year, Pacquiao fought twice and this year he is set to face Jeff Horn on July 2 and most likely he will fight again in November of December this year.

If Pacquiao continues to fight twice a year starting 2018, he would be fighting six times in the span of three years or until 2021. That would be one year before his six-year term as elected Philippine senator expires. Curiously, it would also be a good time to prepare for his reported plan to seek a higher elective post.

While Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum wants the fighting senator to be more active by fighting at least three times a year, Pacquiao may be comfortable with just two fights each year until 2021. By then he would only be 41 years old.

According to Justin Fortune, who takes care of Pacquiao’s health as strength and conditioning coach, the 38-year-old eight-division world champion remains in top shape despite his advancing age.

“He’s a freak. He’s 38 years old but he remains relentless and tireless. The hard work and work rate of this guy is incomparable. That’s why he is so special,” Fortune said.

Fortune is cautious about letting Pacquiao do more than what is required of him in the training camp because he could suffer from over training for next Saturday’s fight.

“We don’t want him to peak early for the July 2 fight. So, sometimes we have to stop him,” Fortune added.

Pacquiao’s longtime trainer Freddie Roach has repeatedly stated he will be the first to tell Pacquiao when to stop fighting once he sees Pacquiao slowing down during training and in actual fight. But the seven-time ‘Trainer of the Year’ has yet to see a slower Pacquiao during sparring sessions and even in actual fight.

Roach was even impressed with Pacquiao’s speed and power in his recent fight against Jessie Vargas whom he knocked down twice enroute to a unanimous decision win.

For his first fight this year, Pacquiao needs to impress Roach with his awesome speed and power against Horn next Saturday night or it could be his last fight as Roach will have no choice but to say what Pacquiao doesn’t want to hear.

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