LOS ANGELES: Manny Pacquiao said Wednesday that his lengthy layoff from boxing has reignited his passion for the sport as he prepares for next month鈥檚 world welterweight title comeback against Mario Barrios.

The 46-year-old Filipino boxing icon faces World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Barrios in Las Vegas on July 19, four years after his last fight ended in defeat.

Pacquiao has reunited with long-time veteran trainer Freddie Roach for next month鈥檚 title tilt, and spoke to journalists on Wednesday as he worked out at the Hall of Famer鈥檚 Wild Card gym in Hollywood.

鈥淔our years rest has been good for me,鈥� Pacquiao said after showing off some impressive hand speed in an open pads session.

鈥淚鈥檝e been in boxing for so many decades, so it鈥檚 good for my body to rest for four years.

鈥淣ow I鈥檓 back, I鈥檓 hungry to fight again. I鈥檓 hungry to fight in a big fight like this. To work hard, have discipline, everything like that.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檝e missed boxing. I feel like the passion, the fire in my eyes, working hard 鈥� it鈥檚 still there.鈥�

Pacquiao said while his recovery times were now slightly longer, he had not noticed any drop off in his physical conditioning.

鈥淚鈥檓 fast, I can move like I did before. I can run in the mountains with the young boxers, so I鈥檓 happy,鈥� he said.

鈥淚鈥檓 enjoying this training camp. There鈥檚 a couple of adjustments for bodily recovery. We have to control the body, give my body time to rest and recover.鈥�

Pacquiao, who won 12 world titles in eight different weight classes during a glittering professional career that began in 1995, refused to be drawn on whether his comeback next month would be 鈥渙ne and done鈥� or just the first step of a full-fledged return to the sport.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to say,鈥� he said when asked about future bouts. 鈥淣ow I鈥檓 back so one at a time, after this fight we can plan whatever we want.鈥�

For some in boxing, however, Pacquiao鈥檚 return to the ring represents an unnecessary risk.

British promoter Eddie Hearn was the latest to cast doubt on the wisdom of the Filipino鈥檚 comeback earlier this month, predicting that the 30-year-old Barrios will be 鈥渢oo young and too strong鈥� for Pacquiao.

Pacquiao smiled on Wednesday when asked for his response to Hearn鈥檚 remarks.

鈥淛ust watch on July 19th,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t will be a good fight.鈥�