Manny Pacquiao On Rumored Comeback: ‘I Already Announced My Retirement’

There is no denying that Manny Pacquiao owes his fame and fortune to an illustrious 26-year run that he had in boxing, but it seems that the sport is now in his rearview mirror.

Chatter about the possibility of Pacquiao lacing up a pair of eight-ounce gloves once more to chase potential ring encounters versus the best of the welterweight division such as Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford swirled when it was announced that he would figure in an exhibition match against a South Korean social media personality in DK Yoo.

However, boxing’s only eight-division world champion shot down the notion that he would return to active competition and that his “special bout” with Yoo would serve as the tune-up.

“Last time I heard, I already announced my retirement,” Pacquiao said in his native tongue during the kick-off press conference of his clash opposite Yoo in Manila, Philippines last Wednesday, July 20.

“That’s what my heart and mind tell me unless I change my mind and my heart tells me that I want to fight again.”

The 43-year-old southpaw clarified that the reason behind his decision to slug it out with Yoo is geared towards his advocacy and public service.

Organizers set forth through a video clip shown during the aforementioned media event that the majority of the exhibition bout’s revenue will benefit the families affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

On the part of Pacquiao, he will use his share of the earnings from the affair to pool funds to expand his housing project for the homeless called “Pacman Village” in his hometown of General Santos City.

“I am more excited to find out how many homeless people and families I can help than actually returning to the boxing ring,” he stated.

“I took this exhibition to help out more in need, so we can continue giving out homes to our countrymen who don’t have one. I already have a lot of homes built, but most of them are still under construction. The income from this fight will be used for more homes.”

Pacquiao elected to call it a career in September 2021 following an upset loss at the hands of Cuban pugilist Yordenis Ugas via unanimous decision a month prior.

Then he publicly declared his plans to run for the Philippine presidency but fell short in the elections this past May, placing third to eventual winner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and former vice president Leni Robredo.

Pacquiao will now try to cash in on his superstardom by engaging in an exhibition with Yoo, who claims to have various experiences in different types of martial arts.

Although duking out with Yoo will be much different from the wars he went through in the past, Pacquiao promises that he will not go easy on the internet sensation—who has over 600,000 subscribers on YouTube.

“I just want to ensure that my condition is 100%, so I can still exhibit my skills in the ring,” he stressed. “I know it’s a charity event, but I will still exert an effort in training for this one like what I usually did before.”

Meanwhile, Yoo vows that he will be a game counterpart for the “Pac-Man.”

“I know Manny is very fast and he will probably beat me, but I will still try to surprise him when we fight,” the South Korean shared through his interpreter.

It has been confirmed that the match will take place in Seoul, South Korea on December 11, and it will be contested in a six-round tiff with two minutes each per round and no weight limit.

In addition, both men will not be wearing headgears. But there is no word yet on what brand and size of gloves they will use for the charity boxing event.