By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
It feels like Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao still hasn’t left the sport of boxing.
One year after posting a lengthy video on his social media account as his formal way of retiring from the sport, boxing’s only eight-division world champion returned for the first time inside the ring and turned back the hands of time after dominating South Korean YouTube star DK Yoo.
The exhibition bout set for six two-minute rounds was the main event last December 11, 2022 held at the Korea International Exhibition Center.
Soon as the bell rang, it was like the Pacman of old as the former multi-champion threw down a barrage of jabs to kick off his majestic showcase.
Everything was still there. Pacman’s footwork, speed, fluid head movement, and his signature left hook.
The Filipino living legend started the bout slow and missed his first few 1-2 signature combinations but after a minute past, Pacquiao started to gain his rhythm after hitting Yoo with a solid left straight.
Pacquiao then never looked back and continued his offensive clinic in the next rounds. During the third, Pacman was able to rock Yoo with several double-jab punches and was clearly ahead of the scorecards.
The intensity ramped up in the next round after Pacquiao nearly knocked down Yoo in the last three seconds but was saved by the bell.
All hell broke loose in the last two rounds after Yoo decided to engage with Pacman in several closed-quarter exchanges.
However, Pacquiao won most of the slugfests and knocked down Yoo twice in the last round to seal the clear victory.
Tensions rose with only 40 seconds left in the fifth round after Yoo complained that Pacquiao punched him in the back of his head and looked to be in pain.
After almost 20 seconds of waiting for Yoo to recover, the fight fortunately continued which paved the way for Pacman’s stellar sixth round.
“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 Pacman Villages started, but not yet finished. The income from this fight will be used for more homes,” said Pacquiao prior to the fight.
