Pacquiao, who has recently been involved in politics in his native Philippines, will aim to set a new record as boxing’s oldest welterweight world champion.

It is a record he already holds – having won the WBA Super title in 2019, when he was 40.

He is considered as one of the greatest fighters of all-time and is the only boxer to win world titles in eight different weight divisions.

“I’m sure my coaching staff like Freddie [Roach], Buboy [Fernandez] and Justin [Fortune] will tell me frankly if I don’t have that fire any more,” Pacquiao added.

“But right now they’re very happy with my passion. They’re very happy with my training. They’re very happy with my speed and power.

“The fire in my eyes, in my heart, is still there.”

Asked what his family thought of his comeback, he said: “I asked my family if they agreed with me or not. If they didn’t agree, then I’m not going to come back because I respect my family and I love my family.

“But they said ‘yes you can fight, you still have that power and speed and you are dedicated’. Because I’m a disciplined person.”