GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Don't be shocked if Manny Pacquiao ends up having a change of heart about his retirement.

The past few weeks, Pacquiao has been working his tail off, waking up early for a track run and showing up for gym session in the afternoon for what has been billed a special charity event in Seoul on 11 December.

While Pacquiao isn't going up against a legitimate fighter in DK Yoo, who claims to be an expert in several mix-martial arts disciplines, the atmosphere inside the PacmanGym oozes with a different vibe.
Consider this.

Buboy Fernandez has been here for over a month presiding over the usual daily workouts.

"He asked me to be here," Fernandez said on Saturday while waiting for the eight-division legend to turn up. "If he is getting ready for an exhibition, why am I called to get involved in the training?"

On Saturday afternoon, Pacquiao, who turns 44 on 17 December, had to make a last-minute decision to skip training.

But Fernandez, as well as training assistants Roger Fernandez and Jonathan Peñalosa, insist the no-show was an aberration.

"You should have seen what he's been doing in the gym," Fernandez said.

"We're not just doing the regular gym routines but plyometrics, too."

Last time Pacquiao fought, he was stunned by Cuban Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas almost one and a half years ago.

Nonoy Neri, another member of Pacquiao's elite cast of trainers, declines to say whether the renewed interest and enthusiasm will lead to a comeback in 2023.

"I think he misses it (boxing) a lot," Neri said.

Clearly, the handwriting is on the wall.