Manny Pacquiao floors YouTube star IShowSpeed with crippling body shot in sparring session

12/09/2024 14:08

Manny Pacquiao left IShowSpeed on the canvas during a bizarre crossover sparring session.

Pacquiao is one of boxing’s legendary names having retired as an eight-weight world champion in 2021, and has recently been contemplating a comeback at the age of 45.

While training in the Phillipines, ‘PacMan’ met high-profile streamer and American YouTuber IShowSpeed – real name Darren Jason Watkins Jr.

The pair came face-to-face with several onlookers forming a ring and laced up their gloves in a surprise sparring session, which did not go well for the influencer.

He began by doing his trademark bark to the iconic boxer who stared him down before the pair began trading punches.

Pacquiao hardly threw a punch against the social media sensation who began trying to land single shots on the veteran’s body.

Eventually he went wild and started throwing some wild hooks to the body which was met by roars from the crowd.

It was initially met with no response from Pacquiao who grinned as the popular star went to work, but eventually he let go.

As IShowSpeed stepped in for his latest shot, the Filipino cult hero unleashed a booming left hand to the midriff of the influencer.

It was met by a huge roar from the crowd, as IShowSpeed immediately crashed to his back on the floor in agony.

He lay starfished on his back clearly exhausted by the short day’s work, but Pacquiao grinned and saluted the crowd who had gathered round the pair.

It is not the first time sparring has ended badly for the influencer, who was also dropped in a session with British fighter KSI.

The session was ended there and it was a lesson to not mess with a pro even if they are retired.

Pacquiao has sparked controversy of his own in recent weeks, with fans concerned by his most recent outing in an exhibition against Rukiya Anpo.

He found it a huge struggle against the limited-experience Japanese star, who perhaps did enough to win despite the contest being unscored.

But tthe squared circle great is still keen to press forward with attempts to return, and has held discussions with Mario Barrios over a potential world title shot before the end of 2025.

Promoter Ben Shalom understands why he wants to return, but believes his career is best left in the past after his recent misdemeanours.

He told talkSPORT.com: “I think it’s so hard for fighters, you have seen it in the Olympics with athletes coming back.

“We’ve seen so many fighters come back, you always think back to Muhammad Ali and the damage that those last fights had on his life.

“It is very hard as a promoter to say it, but equally if you have enough money in the bank you have to protect your health.

“I think it showed in that exhibition that it really should be the end, but ultimately stranger things have happened.

“As I say fighters are addicted to that buzz and it is very hard to replace it in those final years.”