By Ashley Bercasio
Eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao admitted that a rematch between him and fellow retired boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains unlikely.
Pacquiao said the fact in front of sportswriters on Wednesday, July 20, at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila in Taguig City during the announcement of his exhibition and charity fight against Korean Martial artist and YouTuber DK Yoo.
“‘Yung Mayweather-Pacquiao 2 ay malabo pa ngayon ‘yan,” said the 43-year-old Pacquiao.
“Unless kung mag-decide kaming mag-comeback, mag-comeback din s’ya, magkakaroon ng Pacquiao [-Mayweather] 2.”
Billed as the fight of the century, the two biggest fighters of the era first squared-off in May 2015 wherein Mayweather edged Pacquiao via unanimous decision.
While the world clamored for an encore, the two never met inside the ring again until Mayweather retired in 2017 with an unblemished 50-0 win-loss record with 27 knockouts.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao continued boxing, defeating other welterweight fixtures like Timothy Bradley Jr., Jessie Vargas, Lucas Matthysse, Adrian Broner and Keith Thurman.
Pacquiao ended his legendary career in August 2021 after falling to WBA super world welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas of Cuba.
Pacquiao ended his stellar career with 62 wins with 39 KOs, eight losses, and two draws.
While still technically retired, the 45-year-old Mayweather figured in a couple of ‘exhibition’ matches with the first one against undefeated Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa on December 31, 2018.
Mayweather made short work of Nasukawa, ending the match in the first round via technical knockout.
Pretty boy then fought against YouTube star Logan Paul. While there was no announced winner, Mayweather easily outclassed the much bigger Paul.
“Siguro both of us ‘yung mindset namin is retired na kami, kumbaga, ang sa amin na lang ay ganitong mga exhibition,” said Pacquiao who’s about to face Yoo on December in Seoul, South Korea for his first-ever exhibition match.
Asked whether his upcoming match against Yoo could somehow jumpstart his return to competitive boxing, Pacquiao was quick to answer.
“Ang mind[set] ko ngayon ay retired na ako,” said Pacquiao who alongside Yoo, is set to allot the majority of the fight’s earnings to the rehabilitation of war-torn Ukraine.
“Itong event na ito naman, gagawin ko lang naman ito para makatulong ako sa mga tao, sa mga kababayan ko, makatulong ako sa mga naghihirap na mga pamilya.”
Yoo and Pacquiao will face each other in a six-rounder match with each round lasting only for two minutes. –ag
