The Filipino great will return to the ring at the age of 46 for a welterweight world title fight against Mario Barrios in July and has suggested that he is returning to the ring with the intention of staying for the long term after putting his political aspirations on hold.

Pacquiao said: "Right now, the book of politics is closed. It's not even in my mind. I'm focusing on my career as a boxer again.

"I can still do my job in boxing. I'm not done yet. The fire, the determination, the eagerness to train and work hard, it's still there. It's amazing."

Pacquiao hasn't boxed since losing to Yordenis Ugas in 2021 but admits that he has missed boxing in the time he has spent away from the sport.

He said: "That moment when I announced I was hanging up my gloves four years ago, I was so sad.

"I couldn't avoid the tears coming out of my eyes. I really missed boxing. For however many months, I was like, I'm not a boxer anymore?'"

Pacquiao claimed that he trained incorrectly for the bout with Ugas and promised that "the old Manny" would return for the clash against Barrios in Las Vegas.

The eight-division world champion said: "I trained wrong for that fight. My legs began cramping, and I couldn't move. He was a very slow opponent, and I couldn't believe that I couldn't move my feet or my legs. But for this camp, I'm back with my longtime trainer, Freddie Roach. The old Manny will be back."