Pacquiao says exhibition fight is his 'comeback to the ring'

LOS ANGELES: Manny Pacquiao called an exhibition fight in December against a South Korean YouTuber his "comeback to the ring", saying he wants to show he "is still there in boxing".

The 43-year-old boxing legend retired from the sport last year to make a failed crack at the presidency of the Philippines and is now following in the footsteps of his old rival, Floyd Mayweather, in staging an exhibition bout.

Pacquiao will fight DK Yoo in Seoul on Dec 11, with money raised going to Ukraine and the homeless in his homeland.

But, after appearing in the form of a hologram in Los Angeles on Thursday (Oct 13) to promote the exhibition, Pacquiao hinted that he may not have totally retired just yet.

"I'll try to prove that Manny Pacquiao is still there in boxing," he said, also refusing to rule out a rematch with Mayweather.

"This is my comeback to the ring, this is my passion, so I have to work hard even though it's an exhibition match.

"I'll try to finish the fight early so we can go home early," he added, hinting that he intends to knock out the South Korean.

Pacquiao, a multiple world champion who retired with a 62-8-2 record, admitted: "I felt lonely when I retired from boxing."