Manny Pacquiao advised: Don’t overtrain

MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao, according to his adviser Mike Koncz, must make sure he doesn’t overtrain for his anticipated ring return in July.

Pacquiao wants to train two-and-a-half months for the fight against WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse.

That’s 10 weeks on the calendar.

Koncz, however, has reminded the 39-year-old Pacquiao not to overdo things in training.

“We learned from the Oscar dela Hoya fight when Manny trained for 10 weeks and he burned himself out,” said Koncz.

Pacquiao, the Canadian adviser remembered, got bored during camp in the United States for the Dela Hoya fight in 2008 that he sneaked out.

“He returned to Manila (for a couple of days) without telling anybody,” Koncz said.

He said seven to eight weeks of serious training, for his age, should be enough to get him in top shape.

Pacquiao must also cut down on the miles and the number of rounds in the gym.

“I want to see him start training next week but because he’s older now he’s got to go slower and take it easy and so he doesn’t get injured.

“He has to pace a lot better than before,” Koncz added.

Pacquiao and Matthysse are done with the press tour, a short one that had stops in Manila and soccer-crazy Kuala Lumpur.

Matthysse was scheduled to fly back to the United States last night, and should prepare to begin training in Indio, California.

The Kuala Lumpur stop was a hit, and Pacquiao capped his visit with a quick stop at the Rolex dealership at the KL International Airport. He left the store with an all-diamond Rolex Presidential.

Price withheld.