By CARLO ANOLIN
Aside from returning to competitive boxing, Manny Pacquiao said a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. would be unlikely at this point.
“Alam mo ‘yong Mayweather-Pacquiao 2 malabo mangyari ‘yan,” said Pacquiao during a press conference for his exhibition match with South Korean martial artist DK Yoo Wednesday night, July 20, at the Shangri-La The Fort, Manila in Taguig City.
“Unless, mag-decide kami na mag-comeback. Mag-comeback din siya. Depende na ‘yan pero siguro both of us ‘yong mindset namin is retired na kami,” added the 43-year-old Pacquiao.
The eight-division world boxing champion insisted that he came to terms with the exhibition match due to Yoo’s proposal to make it a fundraiser.
Yoo, for his part, somehow drew inspiration from other boxers who held exhibition matches such as Mayweather and American YouTuber Jake Paul.
The South Korean martial artist, apart from wanting to display his talent to the world, shared the same sentiments with Pacquiao and decided to proceed with the charity event.
Mayweather, 45, also once competed in an exhibition match five years ago against UFC star Conor McGregor where he won via technical knockout.
He is set to fight Japanese mixed martial arts icon Mikuru Asakura in September.
And it was seven years ago, in May 2015, where Mayweather scored a unanimous decision win against Pacquiao to retain the World Boxing Association, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles as well as take the WBO belt.
Talks of a rematch had surfaced from time to time but it never materialized with Mayweather claiming he has long retired from competitive boxing.
Pacquiao, likewise, is not keen on coming back but maintained that he will continue to use boxing as a platform to help those in need.
