Former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is back in the grind and he’s loving it.
“It’s good to be flexing again with my trainer and friend Buboy Fernandez. Buboy still got the moves,” said Pacquiao on his official social media page.
Pacquiao and his chief trainer and childhood friend Fernandez have started their training camp at the Pacman Gym in General Santos, doing in-between promotional gigs that shuttle him and his team to and from Korea.
After more than a year of inactivity, Pacquiao sets out to the boxing ring once again on Dec. 11 to fight South Korean martial arts Youtuber, DK Yoo, at the Korea International Exhibition Center in Goyang, South Korea.
It may be an exhibition bout, but Fernandez is not taking any chances.
“Kung ano ung dating pakundisyon na ibinibigay namin nu’ng lumalaban pa kami sa world title, iyun pa rin ang ibibigay natin. Hindi tayo puwedeng magkumpiyansa,” said Fernandez in a video message, Pacquiao, now 43 years old, quit the sport in September 2021 following a decision loss to Cuban Yordenis Ugas in their bout for the welterweight title.
Although unofficially, Pacquiao is making a ring comeback against the Korean, but losing is still not an option as he vowed to do what he does best.
“The fight is real. We will try to knock each other out. That’s why we need to work hard,” said Pacquiao during the press conference in Seoul as quoted by Korea Times.
There are speculations that this bout will determine Pacquiao’s physical condition whether to pursue competitive boxing or meet former tormentor Floyd Mayweather in a rematch.
What makes the Pacquiao-Yoo tussle more meaningful though is that proceeds will go to charity.
“Kakaibang laban ito. Para ito sa mga walang tirahan at mga batang walang pang-aral. Marami tayong matutulugan,” Fernandez added. “Suportahan po natin ang laban na ito.”