I want to prove I'm not washed-up yet: Pacquiao

Boxing is a young man's sport.

Yet the 38-year-old Manny Pacquiao continues to defy his age as he pushes through with the 68th fight of his career against a younger and hungrier opponent in Jeff Horn this Sunday.

Paquiao's credentials are nothing to sneeze at. In 22 colorful years of professional boxing, he has won a total of 11 world titles in 8 weight classes besides compiling 59 wins against 6 defeats and 2 draws.

"Dito, gusto kong patunayan na 'di pa laos si Manny Pacquiao, na kaya ko pa," said Pacquiao in an interview with Noli de Castro on Thursday's TV Patrol.

"Boxing is my passion. 'Pag sinasabing magreretiro na ko nalulungkot ako, kasi mula bata nagbo-boxing na ako."

(I want to prove that Manny Pacquiao isn't washed-up yet, that I can still do this. When people talk about my retirement, it makes me sad because I've been boxing since I was a kid.)

Although Pacquiao will be coming in as a heavy favorite against the 29-year-old Horn, he is giving up a few advantages to the younger Australian.

Besides age difference, Pacquiao is at least 2 inches shorter than the 5-foot-9 Horn.

The fight will also take place in the Aussie's hometown of Brisbane, at Suncorp Stadium that usually hosts rugby and football matches.

• Read: Get a glimpse of the Suncorp Stadium, where Pacquiao will fight Horn

"Hindi naman ako nababahala doon dahil hindi ako nagpapabaya sa training," Pacquiao said. "Sa training ko feeling ko bata din ako. Nagagawa ko pa rin yung ginagawa ko nung bata pa ako so walang pagbabago."

(I'm not worried about that because I train seriously. During training, I feel young. I can still do the same things I used to do when I was younger, so things haven't changed.

In fact, his team has already stopped him from overexerting himself 4 days before fight night.

"Ayaw na nila akong mag-gym. Si (coach) Freddie (Roach), Justine (Fortune), iyong buong team satisfied na sila sa nakita sa 'kin," he said. "Sabi nila huwag ka nang mag-training ng hapon, tapos jogging na lang."

(They don't want me to go to the gym anymore. They're satisfied with what they've seen. They told me not to train in the afternoon anymore. Just jog.)

Pacquiao said he has never wavered during his 2-month training camp. He said he will be the first to admit if he's showing signs of slippage.

"Sa tingin ko nandyan pa rin ang speed, power and instinct natin.
Iyong galaw natin nandyan pa rin. Siguro kung may pagbabago sa galaw natin mula noong bata pa tayo sasabihin ko ng diretso (sa publiko)," said Pacquiao.

(I think the speed, power and instinct are still there. If I see any changes in the way I fight, I'll be honest about it.)

He said he still has something to prove despite his accolades.

"Ipapakita ko pa rin, ipu-prove ko na hindi pa nawawala sa boxing ang name na Manny Pacquiao. (I'll show to everyone that my name is still relevant in boxing.)"

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)