Manny Pacquiao visited the lion’s den yesterday when the eight-division champion attended a press conference in Seoul where his Korean rival DK Yoo met him.
The two are facing off in a special fight on 11 December in Seoul, marking the first time the Filipino legend is returning to the ring since losing to Cuban Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas in August 2021.
The Pacquiao-Yoo clash won’t be a regular fight although both have vowed to put their best foot forward in the hopes of emerging victorious.
The Korean social media influencer doesn’t have any professional boxing experience but claims to be an expert in several forms of martial arts.
Pacquiao, who turns 44 on 17 December, is not taking any chances.
Before leaving for Seoul, Pacquiao showed up for a few days of training in General Santos City where he did almost everything except spar.
He did padwork with training team members Jonathan Penalosa and Buboy Fernandez and displayed power on both hands.
To work on his stamina, Pacquiao also played relentless basketball.
Though there won’t be any need for him to set up camp at the Wild Card in Hollywood, Pacquiao will continue to train so as to keep himself in shape.
“Even if it’s just an exhibition, you don’t go in there not in shape. Remember that it is still a fight,” Penalosa, a one-time world title challenger, said.
Proceeds from the Pacquiao-Yoo show will be used to finance community projects.
The event will be shown live in the mainland United States on pay-per-view.
Doing exhibitions seems to be the trend for retired stars of boxing.
Also cashing in on these novelty events is Floyd Mayweather, who is fresh from seeing action in Japan.
Mayweather is doing another next month in the United Arab Emirates and plans to do more in 2023.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, will be doing his first exhibition against Yoo.
