Manny Pacquiao’s recent victory against South Korean martial artist and YouTuber DK Yoo fuels speculations of a ring comeback for the eight-division world champion.
Prior to the match, Manny told the online boxing and MMA news website FightHype about the possibility of him coming out of retirement to “test” boxing’s current top guns Terence Crawford and Errol Spence.
“I’m eager to fight with them to test them, to see if they’re really a champion,” remarked Manny hours before facing DK in an exhibition match at the Seoul Arena in South Korea last December 11, 2022.
Manny, though, was non-committal on the subject when he faced members of the press on Tuesday, December 13, at the Edsa Shangri-La Manila, in Ortigas, Mandaluyong City.
The champion boxer was chosen as honorary chairman of Japan's NFT marketing company Systems Technologies Apps Robotics Trading Inc. (START) and ambassador of the START JPN community composed of key opinion leaders in the NFT industry.
NFT or non-tangible tokens are cryptographic assets — digital drawings, photographs, music, art, etc. — on a blockchain with unique identification codes and metadata.
The event, likewise, formalized Manny's partnership with START Inc. and the Singapore-based NFT One.
Both companies are involved primarily in the creation and marketing of NFTs.
“Ako, sa isip ko ngayon is more on exhibition [matches], puro exhibition lang yung inaano [iniisip] natin ngayon. Mga charity exhibition para makatulong tayo,” said Manny, downplaying the possibility of resuming his boxing career anytime soon.
PACQUIAO-MAYWEATHER II?
Aside from mentioning Terence and Errol, Manny also took a jab at rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. during the FightHype interview.
Manny said, “I don't think he will do a rematch with me.”
He continued, “What I thought is that he's scared to death to fight again and that's my analysis and thought on the rematch with him.”
Manny and Floyd squared off on May 2, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a fight billed Fight of the Century.
The match — won unanimously by Floyd — was a letdown in the eyes of many who felt that both boxers were past their prime when the fight happened.
It also didn't help that Manny and Floyd's boxing styles are total opposites, with the latter leaning more on defense while the former relies on speed and offense to wear opponents down.
Manny has repeatedly called for a rematch, eager to get back at the undefeated American boxer.
Floyd remains adamant though, opting instead to engage in exhibition matches with celebrities and social media stars for a quick buck after retiring in 2017.
A rematch between the two may not sound appealing to a majority of boxing fans today who prefer to watch young, up-and-coming fighters.
Still, a Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather repeat clash would elicit interest from viewers wanting to see the two legends go at it for the last time.
But are there any talks at the moment that would enable the fight to happen?
“Ah, wala pa," smiled Manny, before reverting the topic back to his recently concluded fight.
"Nag-enjoy lang ako dun sa last exhibition namin ni DK Yoo dahil at least lumalaban ako and proud ako dahil lumalaban ako para sa bayan."
Manny’s exhibition fight against DK was for charity.
The Filipino boxing legend donated the money he earned in the match to help build homes for the less fortunate in the Philippines.
“Ongoing kasi ang construction ng pabahay natin… mahigit isang daan din ang mabibigyan natin," he said pertaining to his housing initiative.
Proceeds from the fight also went to the country of Ukraine to assist the people affected by the war following Russia's invasion in early 2022.
BIG NFT SUPPORTER
Manny has been a longtime supporter of blockchain technology, particularly NFTs, for quite some time now.
The "Pambansang Kamao" has released special edition NFTs in the past including one created in memory of his dog and tokens to mark his matches, like with Yordenis Ugas in April 2021 and just recently, DK Yoo.
“Cryptocurrencies are the future," said Manny.
"Sa ayaw at gusto natin, dun talaga tayo pupunta especially ang bilis ng improvement ng technology natin ngayon so kailangan ma-upgrade din tayong mga Pilipino at matuto dito sa NFT.”
For NFT One CEO Yuhua Shi, selecting Manny as the ambassador makes perfect sense considering the boxer's global reach through his countless fans.
"He has a good influence on different countries. I also think that Mr. Pacquiao is a nice person, so he delivers peace and love," said Yuhua.
He continued, "The core value is important for NFT as well.
"I support people making money on NFT, but I also support, more importantly, [if] they can deliver good values to the next generation and to the next new one.
"I see Mr. Pacquaio will play a very important role to influence more people."