Great to be back in the gym. #TeamPacquiao

A post shared by Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) on May 8, 2017 at 7:10pm PDT

MANILA — Manny Pacquiao hit the mitts on Monday, saying he was “excited” to return to training nearly half a year since he last laced his gloves.

Pacquiao, recently busy as a legislator, reunited with childhood friend and co-trainer Buboy Fernandez after 6 months of boxing inactivity or since he won by unanimous decision against Jessie Vargas last November 5.

Fernandez and Nonoy Neri are overseeing Pacquiao’s initial phase of training until Freddie Roach arrives in the country later this week.

Pacquiao currently trains at Elorde Boxing Gym near the Mall of Asia commercial complex.

“I am excited to go back to the gym after about a six-month layoff. I really miss training at the gym with the members of Team Pacquiao and fans around,” Pacquiao told PhilBoxing.com.

Fernandez said they see no problem bringing Pacquiao back in fighting form for the July 2 fight against Jeff Horn, since the welterweight champion has been keeping himself in shape.

• READ: Ex-world champ from Australia backs Pacquiao against Horn

“He trains hard at the gym and keeps himself in good shape even when there’s no fight. So, we expect him to be in tip-top shape during the scheduled fight,” said Fernandez, now a Bicol-based councilor.

Pacquiao will hold camp at Elorde Boxing Gym until the end of the month before moving to his own Wild Card Boxing Gym in General Santos City until the third week of June.

He will take advantage of the month-long Senate break that will run from June 1 to July 2.

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