BOXING icon Manny Pacquiao is still “hungry as a lion” and capable of fighting big time, according to former world champion and now businessman Gerry Peñalosa.
“Unlike other boxers, Senator Manny [Pacquiao] is always hungry and wants a competitive fight,” Peñalosa, a former World Boxing Council bantamweight champion said. “In fact, he wanted more rounds yesterday [Sunday in Korea].”
Pacquiao was declared winner by unanimous decision in his six-round exhibition fight with South Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in Goyang, South Korea, on Sunday.
Peñalosa told BusinessMirror that Pacquiao remains “aggressive, strong and fast.”
Pacquiao, who turns 44 on Saturday, expressed desire to come out of retirement and go for the big time belts, two of them unified world welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and World Boxing Organization titlist Terence Crawford.
“Those big fights require a serious training and I believe Pacquiao could still do it despite his age,” Peñalosa said.
Pacquiao retired in September last year after he lost to Cuban Yordenis Ugas via unanimous decision on August 21, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada for the World Boxing Association welterweight belt.
“As long as he’s in good condition and trains wisely, Pacquiao will definitely a beast, deadly and fast,” said the 50-year-old Peñalosa, who has a 55-8-2 win-loss-draw record with 37 knockouts when he was active. “Pacquiao is a deadly adversary especially if he’s enjoying what he’s doing.”
The fight with Yoo was an absolute mismatch, according to Peñalosa, adding that Pacquiao easily handled his Korean foe.
“The Senator remains the fighter that he is. It’s a good fight,” he said.
Pacquiao agreed to fight Yoo for charity. He will use the exhibition event’s proceeds to construct homes in his Pacman Village in General Santos City.