Pacquiao lands in L.A.

MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao stepped out of the Los Angeles International Airport yesterday as a 40-year-old champion all set for yet another big fight.

Pacquiao, with his four-year-old son Israel in his arms, smiled at those who welcomed him for his Jan. 19 fight with American Adrien Broner.

It will be the first US fight for Pacquiao since 2016 when he defeated Jessie Vargas at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

His last two fights were staged in Brisbane and Malaysia.

Pacquiao, the reigning WBA welterweight champion, will have his hands full against Broner, an ex-champion in four weight classes.

Age, many believe, may play a factor against the 29-year-old Broner, when the title showdown is held at the MGM Grand.

But Pacquiao, who will train in L.A. under the guidance of Freddie Roach, says otherwise.

“It’s just a number,” he told The STAR in a recent workout in Manila.

“Forty is the beginning of life,” Pacquiao added.

It’s less than four weeks to the fight, and Pacquiao is in the homestretch of his training, which had seen a cut in the number of hours in the gym.

Pacquiao had taken more days off in training than his previous fights. But he said it’s all part of the plan.

“When I train, I push myself to the limit. And when you age, it’s harder for your body to recover,” he told reporters.

“I’m just giving my body more time to rest,” he said.

It all remains to be seen at the MGM.