Pacquiao prepares for June bout, still no word from Roach

It is not yet clear who will head the training team of Manny Pacquiao even as he starts preparing for his bout against Argentinian World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight titleholder Lucas Mathysse in June.

In the report of GMA News' Mav Gonzales on "24 Oras," Pacquiao said he has not yet spoken to his long-time trainer Freddie Roach since his bout with Mathysse was announced last Friday.

When asked who would be preparing him for the ring in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the boxing icon and lawmaker answered: "To be announced."

Pacquiao also said that MP Promotions is promoting the Pacquiao-Matthysse fight instead of Bob Arum's Top Rank.

"Hindi pa naman nag-final...Nag-decision. Right now, I'm fixing the promotion. I'm working as a promoter right now bago mag-start 'yung training," he added.

According to the report, Paquiao's training may be handled by assistant trainer and his childhood friend Buboy Fernandez.

Pacquiao, who had not fought since July 2017, said he wants to put up a good fight against Mathysse, who he described as an aggressive boxer.

He started training for his upcoming bout on Monday by doing conditioning exercises, running the 2.6-kilometer long Cambridge Circle in Forbes Park, shadow boxing, and some core exercises.

"Naniniwala ako na magandang fight ang maibibigay namin sa mga tao. He is aggressive fighter...Talagang halos ng laban nito ay bakbakan," he said.

"Ngayon, light jogging lang. Conditioning lang, stamina, para pag start talaga natin, hindi tayo mabigla and then long preparation," he added.

Freddie Roach said he would consider advising Pacquiao to retire after he lost to Australian Jeff Horn last year. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News