Manila – Manny Pacquiao, who resigned from boxing last year to run for president of the Philippines, told AFP on Tuesday that he is contemplating a January exhibition bout in Saudi Arabia.
In Riyadh, the 43-year-old renowned former world champion will discuss a bout with his former sparring partner Jaber Zayani.
Pacquiao, who previously ruled out a return to professional boxing, stated by telephone from his hometown of General Santos, where he is preparing for a charity match against a South Korean YouTuber, “We will simply begin conversations.”
Pacquiao completed his 26-year boxing career after a points loss to Cuban Yordenis Ugas in August 2021. He is also a former senator and unsuccessfully ran for president of his country earlier this year.
Pacquiao stated that he will prepare for his December 10 charity bout versus martial arts YouTuber DK Yoo in the same manner as he would for a genuine fight.
There is no agreed-upon weight limit for the six-round bout, which might put Pacquiao at a physical disadvantage versus Yoo.
Yoo has more than 650,000 fans on YouTube, where he promotes his “warrior combat system” type of martial arts.
“I know I won’t win against him, but I’ll do my best to surprise him,” Yoo stated recently.
According to the event’s organizers, the majority of the funds received will be used to repair homes in conflict-ravaged Ukraine.
Pacquiao is expected to join other retired boxing greats on the exhibition circuit.
Floyd Mayweather, who has referred to himself as the “pioneer of exhibitions,” overpowered YouTuber Logan Paul in a bout last year and knocked out Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in less than two minutes in December 2018.
Each battle was widely mocked.
Mayweather, Pacquiao’s boxing opponent, will fight Japanese mixed martial arts superstar Mikuru Asakura later this month in Japan.
AFP