In an unexpected move, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has been confirmed as a contestant for Physical: Asia, the latest iteration of Netflix’s popular survival reality show Physical: 100. Announced on February 4, Pacquiao’s inclusion has left netizens astounded, with many sharing their surprise across social media platforms.
One commenter summed up the reaction: “Woah, when did this happen?” while another simply wrote, “What the heck???” It’s easy to understand the shock. Pacquiao, a political figure and former world champion boxer, is the first official contestant revealed for the new series.
Physical: Asia will follow the same premise as Physical: 100, where participants engage in extreme physical challenges to prove their strength. However, this new iteration introduces an added twist: athletes will now form country-based teams, competing not just as individuals but for national glory. If one member of a team fails, the entire team is eliminated.
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Pacquiao’s legendary status in the sport of boxing adds an exciting element to the competition. Recognized as one of the greatest boxers of all time, he’s the only fighter in history to win titles across eight weight divisions. Between the 1990s and 2020s, he held world championship titles for over four decades and made history as the oldest welterweight world champion at 40 years old.
As for the format, Pacquiao will represent the Philippines, joining other top athletes from across Asia in what promises to be a high-stakes competition. Netflix’s announcement also included images of Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee arriving in South Korea to begin filming.
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The show will premiere in the fourth quarter of 2025, following the success of its predecessor, which became the first Korean reality series to top the Non-English TV Series list on Netflix. With the star power of Pacquiao and other competitors yet to be announced, Physical: Asia is already generating buzz, even before its official release.
