Manny Pacquiao says he is done with politics in the Philippines, and he?s back in boxing to stay.

The 46-year-old said his return was not for just one farewell bout either, the former eight-division world champion intends to fight on indefinitely.

And Pacquiao, who lost in his bid to reclaim his senate seat this year, said the ?book of politics? was closed.

?It?s not even in my mind,? Pacquiao told Associated Press in Los Angeles. ?I?m focusing on my career as a boxer again.?

That comeback starts on July 19, when Pacquiao returns from a four-year lay-off and attempts to break his own record by becoming the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history. The former Philippines senator and presidential candidate will take on WBC champ Mario Barrios in Las Vegas.

As Pacquiao?s fame and fortune grew in the previous decade, he added a second career as a politician to his already busy life. He was a senator from 2016 until 2022, when he finished third in the Philippines? presidential election.

After coming 18th in the midterm elections last month, Pacquiao quickly announced plans to return to the ring ? and now that he?s back in Los Angeles training with Freddie Roach, made it clear he wished he had never left.

?I can still do my job in boxing,? Pacquiao said. ?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 fought since losing a decision to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021, but he said he dearly missed the sport from the moment he stepped away.

?That moment when I announced I was hanging up my gloves four years ago, I was so sad,? Pacquiao said. ?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 any more???

He filled the time away with non-stop sports endeavours at his Philippines estate, where he has a full boxing gym, a covered basketball court, a tennis court and facilities for badminton, pickleball and tennis. He also ran in his huge backyard, staying in shape on the one-kilometre expanse.

Pacquiao claims his famed hand speed and athleticism are still there, and he feels refreshed after four years of not getting hit. But Pacquiao also realises his fans could be worried about a comeback because of his unimpressive effort against Ugas.

Pacquiao says he was undone in 2021 by numerous distractions ? his imminent presidential run, a hefty lawsuit filed against him by a management company, and even an ill-advised massage shortly before the bout that left him painfully sore on fight night.

?I was so bothered,? he said. ?I did a lot of things that aren?t good for me.?

Pacquiao will interrupt his training this week only for a celebration of his career. He will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this weekend in upstate New York, and then he?ll return to Roach?s Wild Card Gym.

His return bout will be seen worldwide on Amazon Prime pay-per-view, and seems likely to capture an audience of fans who remember his incredible prime. Pacquiao had his first professional fight in January 1995, four months before Barrios was born.

?He?s a hard guy to dislike,? Barrios said. ?A legend is going to be across from me. I have all the respect for him outside the ring, but inside the ring, he?s just another man trying to take what?s mine.?

Pacquiao seems confident he can carry the energy he showed at Tuesday?s press conference into the ring against Barrios, but he also has first-hand experience of the ugliness that can consume fighters who hang on a bit too long.

After all, he moved up two weight classes and ended the decorated career of Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008, stopping the Golden Boy after eight one-sided rounds.

Pacquiao said his fans should not worry, and he is back where he belongs.

?I returned because I missed boxing,? he said. ?I hope I can entertain you guys.? (Mynews)

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