Manny Pacquiao vows to not go easy vs DK Yoo in upcoming exhibition bout

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao vowed not to go lightly against Korean YouTuber DK Yoo when the two meet in the ring in an exhibition match set this December in Seoul, South Korea.

Pacquiao, the former eight-division world champion, said he will still give his 100-percent in the match, which will also serve as a charity event for the families affected by the war between Ukraine and Russia.

"Sisiguraduhin ko na 'yung condition ko ay 100-percent and mahigitan ko pa rin 'yung galing ko sa taas ng ring although ito ay charity event para makatulong tayo sa mas marami pang tao," Pacquiao said in a press conference on Wednesday night in Taguig.

"Gagawin din natin 'yung training na ginagawa natin, 'yung usual na ginawa natin sa training 'pag nagpe-prepare tayo."

As per Pacquiao, the two athletes will meet this December in a match composed of six two-minute rounds. In terms of height, Yoo, a YouTuber who has more than 650,000 subscribers, has the advantage as he stands 5-foot-10.

But Pacquiao, who has beaten taller opponents in the past, stressed: "Sanay na ako diyan."

He also clarified that he is not coming out of retirement, which he announced in September 2021 prior to running for president of the Philippines.

"Nag-announce na ako ng retirement ko, 'yan 'yung nasa puso ko at nasa mind ko unless kung magbago 'yung isip ko or puso ko na gusto ko lumaban ulit pero hindi pa ako nagiisip nang ganon," said Pacquiao.

"Ang sa akin ay kung paano ako kumita para makatulong."

Pacquiao added he is likely to return to practice with his longtime trainer Buboy Fernandez this August.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News