Manny Pacquiao Announces Charity Fight Against DK Yoo

BY RAMSEY JUDAN F. BARRO

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao announced he would face South Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in a charitable fight. The match was held on December 11 at Korea International Exhibition Center in Goyang, South Korea.

Pacquiao, now 43 years old, stated that this was not a comeback from retirement, but a charity event for Ukrainian war victims and homeless Filipinos. He claimed he and Yoo would still perform quality conditioning for a serious six-round exhibition.

He said that he is thankful for the opportunity of the upcoming event and will prepare himself through constant training. He claimed that he and Yoo would view the event as seriously as a professional fight.

The fight was agreed that there will be no weight limits. Yoo weighed approximately 175 to 180 lbs, while Pacquiao was around only 150 to 153 lbs. Both fighters were provided with 10-ounce boxing gloves. Six rounds were set, each lasting for only two minutes.

Pacquiao announced his retirement from professional boxing a few months after being defeated by Yordenis Ugás and before becoming a presidential candidate of the Philippines in late 2021 to dedicate his campaign period. He was placed third behind Leni Robredo and

Though, this will not stop Sotto from reaching his dream to play in the NBA. He claims that he has other plans to develop his basketball career.

Even if he is given an opportunity to play in the NBA Summer League to be potentially scouted, Sotto and his team did not make any decision yet. Instead, they clarified that Sotto will play for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 World Cup Asian qualifiers.

Playing at the center position, Sotto was given high hopes to take his skills to the NBA after being discovered for his staggering height and basketball talent.

He played varsity for Ateneo de Manila High School and for the Philippine National Team in the SEABA U16 Championship in 2017 where he won gold. At age 17, he then took his talents to the United States by training in the Skill Factory, a basketball training program located in Atlanta, Georgia. Before entering the draft Sotto played for the Adelaide 36ers, an Australian team in the NBL, in 2021 for 1 year.

Currently, he has returned to the Adelaide 36ers to continue advancing his skills hoping that one day he will be playing in the NBA.

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who won the presidential election last May 2022.

Questions on a possible return to professional boxing continue to debate Pacquiao’s decision. He has not come up with a final decision. He said he would see it based on his performance after the charity fight.

Pacquiao also prepared himself for another charitable fight, an eight-round exhibition match, against Jaber Zayani, his sparring mate, which took place in February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.