MANILA – Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao is making his ring return.
He battles Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in a three-round exhibition game on Sunday at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
This will be the eight-division world boxing champion’s first taste of ring action since 2022, when he took on Korean martial artist and video blogger DK Yoo in a similar exhibition match in Seoul, South Korea.
The 45-year-old Pacquiao is up for a challenge against the 26-year-old Anpo as the former K-1 super-lightweight champion will be the tallest opponent in his boxing career at 6-foot.
Anpo was actually a last-minute replacement as Pacquiao’s opponent for the exhibition match after his original foe, RIZIN featherweight champion Chihiro Suzuki, backed out recently due to an injury.
“I heard that my opponent has changed, but of course, no problem,” Pacquiao said. “I was looking forward to facing Chihiro Suzuki. But, well, if it’s due to injury, it can’t be helped. Injuries are part of being a fighter.”
The Anpo fight will also serve as a test for Pacquiao’s readiness as he is reportedly eyeing to challenge reigning World Boxing Council welterweight champion Mario Barrios in October or November.
The last time Pacquiao compete in professional boxing was in 2021, when he lost to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas in a WBA world super welterweight championship match in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Against Anpo, Pacquiao reportedly earn millions for a relatively short amount of time in the ring, following in the footsteps of former rival Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is also competing in exhibition matches to higher earnings./PN
