Manny Pacquiao brutally dropped YouTube star DK Yoo multiple times as he made his return to the ring for an exhibition bout in South Korea last night, but was unable to stop his opponent.
The legendary eight-division world champion hung up his gloves after being beaten by Yordenis Ugas in the summer of last year, but stepped back between the ropes to face social media star DK Yoo. The YouTuber tipped the scales 13lb heavier than Pacquiao, who himself came in at a massive 161lb, a stone more than his career heaviest.
However, he had said prior to the bout that the plan was to show fans and boxing experts that he still has what it takes to fight top welterweights. Pacquiao declared during an interview with FightHype that if Errol Spence Jr and Terrance Crawford couldn't fight each other, he would be happy to face them instead.
The Korea International Exhibition Centre in Goyang, South Korea was far from packed out as Pacquiao made the walk to the ring for the first time since last August. And his wife Jinkee seemed much calmer than a usual fight at ringside, joining his extended family to watch him return to action.
DK Yoo towered over Pacquiao as the pair squared off, but was considerably slower and found himself on the receiving end of some famous power punches from the ex-champion. An uneventful first round was followed by a similar second, with Pacquiao landing big shots whenever he decided to throw.
Pacquiao's speed forced DK Yoo to stay defensive, although he did land a big punch of his own in the third that was immediately punished. However, the legendary former champion began to take control and hurt his opponent in the closing seconds of the round.
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The fourth opened with DK Yoo bowing to Pacquiao having tasted his power previously, and the ex-champion began to move through the gears. DK Yoo hit the deck seemingly amid a click towards the end of the round, but it was not ruled a knockdown, although Pacquiao did legitimately put him down with a flurry right on the bell.
And Pacquiao went out in search of the finish in the fifth, although he landed a punch to the back of the head that allowed his rival time to recover. And DK Yoo spent his time talking to officials at ringside, before the bout was eventually continued and Pacquiao sent him down again, although it was ruled a slip.
Somehow, DK Yoo made it to the sixth and final round, but he flopped to the ground yet again attempting to clinch up in the first few seconds. And the cleanest knockdown you'll see landed halfway through the round, with a timeout called before DK Yoo was dropped again by Pacquiao, but he survived to see the final bell.
"It's nice to be back in the ring for this charity exhibition match," Pacquiao said after the bout. "I'm going to continue my training to get back in shape." Asked if he would be back in the ring next year for a professional or exhibition bout, Pacquiao responded "you'll see."
