December 12 ------ DK Yoo got a taste of how it felt being rammed by a Manny Pacquiao punch. The Filipino boxing legend sent the South Korean martial artist twice to the canvas and emerged winner by unanimous decision in the six-round exhibition match at the Korea International Center in Goyang, South Korea.
Obviously a bit on the heavy side at 43, the now retired Pacquiao showed he still has plenty of power left in those legendary fists after knocking down Yoo in the fourth and sixth round. Yoo, 43, was given a longer time to recover from the second knockdown courtesy of a solid Pacquiao left, before surviving the final round barely on his feet.
The exhibition fight was the first ring action for Pacquiao, who will turn 44 next week, since losing in his bid to regain the WBA welterweight title in August last against Yordenis Ugas of Cuba. The Pacman lost the 12-round fight via unanimous decision, and a month later, announced his retirement from the ring.
The former Philippine senator tipped the scales at his heaviest at 160 pounds during the weigh-in held on Saturday. Yoo, who is also a film director and producer, came in even heavier at 173 pounds. But the South Korean didn't pose much problem against boxing's only eight-time world division champion, who was obviously heads and shoulders above Yoo.
Pacquiao was in control for the entire fight of two-minute each per round against Yoo, who was already bleeding from the nose by the third round. The South Korean looked out when he went down at the 1:03 mark of the final round, although the referee gave him at least 30 seconds to recover his bearings before allowing the fight to continue with just half a minute to go.
Both Pacquiao and Yoo said they are donating their earnings from the exhibition match to charity, with the Filipino eyeing to continue building homes for his less-fortunate countrymen which has been his advocacy during his time in both the Lower and Upper House. Pacquiao ran for the presidency during the last national elections, but failed in his bid. He retired from boxing with a 62-8-2 record, including 39 KOs.
Source: spin.ph
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