MANILA, Philippines — Turning 38 next month, Manny Pacquiao has been forced to confront his own mortality. He still wants to climb the ring and fight, but he will only do so in his own terms.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times posted on its website on Tuesday, Pacquiao said the motivation to compete remains strong, even though there are times when he forgets he's not young anymore.

"I'd still train for as long as 3 1/2 hours. I'm there," he said. "The desire is still there. I enjoy boxing, especially while I'm training. I love to push myself."

Pacquiao has accomplished everything imaginable in his sport, so it makes little sense to hear him say there's more that can be achieved.

He will go up against reigning WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in a Saturday night clash (Sunday morning, Manila time) that some believe will answer the question of whether Pacquiao can still withstand the rigors of championship-level boxing.

"I still have a lot to prove and while the trainer can train you, it's up to you," he said. "You have to study yourself, know what's best for our body, find the balance."

This self-realization wouldn't have dawned on Pacquiao if this were 10 years ago.

Freddie Roach used to say that Pacquiao was just as ferocious training as he was actually fighting, that the only person who can stop Pacquiao working out was Pacquiao himself.

But Pacquiao isn't 28 anymore and a change in his personal philosophy as he navigates the twilight of an illustrious career just seems right.

Pacquiao said in the same Times story that at one point he once rejected a proposed workout by Roach the day after he touched down in the US.

"I'm not a machine," Pacquiao said.

Whether he needs to be one to be able to beat Vargas people will know only after the fight. He said the determination is clearly there. Pacquiao's fans hope the body is, too.

In the Philippines, the fight will be seen live, commercial-free and in high definition on November 6, 9 a.m. on SKY Sports Pay-Per-View.

In the Middle East, the fight will be shown on November 6 at 4 a.m. in KSA and 5 a.m. in Dubai, live (with replays) via TFC.tv. It is also available via OSN, ELife and Mozaic TV powered by Ooredoo.

In the US, it will be shown on November 5 live, distributed by Top Rank PPV.

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