IShowSpeed to spar Manny Pacquiao in his stream today (Image via X/Speed HQ and Instagram/IShowSpeed)

YouTube streamer and online personality Darren “IShowSpeed” (or Speed) is set to host a much-anticipated stream with boxing icon and the former Senator of the Philippines Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao. For those unaware, Speed is currently doing his first-ever South East Asian tour. At the time of writing, he is in Manila, Philippines.

What’s more exciting is that the streamer is set to spar Pacquiao live on stream. It’s possible that Speed’s team may have contacted Pacquiao’s, arranging the meeting. This was confirmed by the streamer yesterday (September 11):

“The Pacquiao stuff will be tomorrow (September 12), okay? I’m not telling y’all where, and blah, blah, blah. It will tomorrow, that’s all I am about to say.”

The stream will take place later today (September 12), although the exact time is not yet announced. The news of the streamer boxing (sparring) Manny Pacquiao was shared by one of Speed’s verified fan pages (@iShowSpeedHQ) via X.com:

“BREAKING: Speed will be SPARRING with Manny Pacquiao live on stream today in the Philippines!”

IShowSpeed to take on Manny Pacquiao live on stream (Image via X/Speedy HQ)

“My favorite boxer” – IShowSpeed speaks on his collaboration with Manny Pacquiao

YouTube streamer IShowSpeed’s impending collaboration with Manny Pacquiao has been a long time in the making. The streamer first spoke about his current visit to the Philippines and potentially meeting the boxer back in July 2024 (during his Europe tour).

During one of his streams, Speed said:

“I can’t wait to go to the Philippines ’cause I’m going to meet my favorite boxer when I go to the Philippines. I’m gonna meet Manny Pacquiao. That’s gonna be a dream come true. Chat, Manny Pacquiao has always been one of my favorite boxers. When I go to the Philippines, I will train with him.”

This wasn’t the only time Speed has mentioned the boxer. In fact, the two even exchanged Instagram DMs, which the streamer revealed during one of his November 2023 streams.

There’s a strong possibility that the boxer also facilitated the streamer and his team’s entry into the country and their movement around the streets of Manila, as the group was accompanied by security personnel wearing MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) shirts, a basketball league founded by Pacquiao.

Watch the clip here:

Despite the reported sparring collaboration between IShowSpeed and Manny Pacquiao, the entire session will likely be more lighthearted, as the streamer’s expertise doesn’t necessarily lie in combat sports.

He had already tried Muay Thai during his trip to Thailand on September 10. Unfortunately for the streamer, he wasn’t the most skilled in the ring, as his erratic style showed. Luckily, it was all just for content, and no one was hurt.