The fault line in the areas around General Santos City have been pretty active as of late.
But the rumblings being heard and felt are not of tectonic in origin.
The reverberations, as seismologists discovered, have come from the thunderous fists of a retired boxer who is on the verge of staging a comeback.
Manny Pacquiao, whose last professional bout took place in August 2021 in Las Vegas, has been pretty busy working out in the morning and showing up for gym sessions in the afternoon.
One of those who have seen Pacquiao train is American boxing man Sean Gibbons, who remains amazed by the work ethic and tremendous physical shape of the eight-division champion.
“He is showing the world again why 45 is the new 25,” Gibbons told DAILY TRIBUNE on Tuesday.
“The champ’s been at it for three weeks and he feels amazing. I have seen the transformation from where he was and to where he’s at now,” Gibbons, who heads the Pacquiao-owned MP Promotions, said.
Pacquiao is actually in the thick of training for a six-round exhibition match with Thai kickboxing legend Buakaw Banchamek on 20 April in Bangkok.
“Watch out Buakaw because Manny’s coming out smoking. After April 20th, he will be ready to tap one of the big boys in the welterweight division and make history once again with a real fight.”
To rev up for Buakaw, Pacquiao also reinforces his training regimen by playing basketball.
A couple of days ago, Pacquiao lit up the scoreboard and capped his stint with a booming triple from way out.
Assuming Pacquiao blows out Buakaw in Thailand, Gibbons expects the future Hall of Famer to return to the pro ranks and take on a young gun.
Based on what’s happening in General Santos City, it is just a matter of time before Pacquiao finds himself lacing up for a real fight.
Just like before, the Filipino pride is not cherry-picking.
Gibbons revealed that two British slugger Connor Benn and mixed-martial arts icon Conor McGregor are on their radar screen.
“He is ready to go,” Gibbons exclaimed.
No wonder Pacquiao has been keeping the seismologists on their toes lately.
