Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao begins his comeback campaign on Saturday, Dec. 10, in the boxing ring as he faces South Korean martial artist DK Yoo in a six-round exhibition match at the Korea International Exhibition Center in South Korea.
The match not only marks Pacquiao's return but also his first bout since absorbing a unanimous decision defeat against Yordenis Ugas last August 2021, which was supposedly a swan song for the eight-division world boxing champion.
Despite announcing his retirement, Pacquiao, 43, could not help but miss the competition and later declared his desire to fight in exhibition matches.
While his comeback is only set in an exhibition, the former Senator admitted that he "missed boxing" and never failed to keep himself in shape.
"This is a great opportunity. To come back in the ring. I thought it's easy to retire that way," said Pacquiao, who owns 62 wins built on 39 knockouts, eight losses, and two draws, in the final press conference Friday, Dec. 9.
"But I didn't realize that I'm getting back in the ring, to keep fighting. I really missed boxing even though I'm retired, I don't get lazy in terms of workout and in my physical condition."
Unlike other training camps, the Filipino boxing legend underwent much lighter sessions compared to his preparation in 12-round matches.
"We did a lot of training and I think this is a good stepping stone to come back in boxing. We'll see in this exhibition," he added.
The earnings for this match, which also serves as a charity, would be donated to the war-plagued Ukraine as well as to provide free housing here in the Philippines.
Yoo, 42, for his part, also expressed excitement that a boxing icon in Pacquiao gladly accepted the bout as well, citing his compatriots as one of his main motivations.
"He's one of the best boxers in the world so I'm very excited and I'm very happy," said the South Korean martial artist, who last saw action against former UFC fighter Bradley Scott also in a boxing match in December last year.