Via Allan Fox: Manny Pacquiao, 44, has made a deal with Japan’s Rizin Martial Arts Federation to compete in 2023 in what is believed to be another exhibition bout by the retired former eighth world champion to from the Philippines.
Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) has revealed information about signing Rizin on New Year’s Eve, but he did not say who his opponent will be or what type of hit. Manny last fought on December 11 in an exhibition, defeating the influencer DK Yoo.
Pacquiao remains hopeful Floyd Mayweather Jr, 45, will choose to rematch him, which will likely be a showdown if that happens. Mayweather is currently doing rigorous exhibition fights and is said to be making a lot of money even though the boxing public is not very enthusiastic about these events.
Pacquiao’s last match before retiring was against Yordenis Ugas on August 21, 2021, in a match he lost in the decisive 12th round with scores 115-113, 116-112 and 116-112 .
After the match, Pacquiao complained about his calves cramping during the competition. He believes the problem is due to him running too much during practice for the competition.
Pacquiao fought well despite the loss and showed he can continue to compete professionally, despite not being the elite fighter he once had during his best years.
Reducing weight to 140 or 135 lb would likely prolong Pacquiao’s career, however, he chose to retire in September 2021.
“Pacquiao will most likely participate in an exhibition boxing match after the success of those kind of fights in Japan with Floyd Mayweather,” Marc Raimondi told GAME.
“Pacquiao’s rival Mayweather did two exhibition boxing fights with Rizin, in 2018 and in September. Pacquiao was in the front row after that.”
The still-famous Pacquiao is not only interested in a rematch with Mayweather but also against IBF, WBA & WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.
For Pacquiao to take on Spence, he needs to retire as the three-belt champion doesn’t participate in exhibition matches. Pacquiao was scheduled to face Spence in 2021, but Errol suffered an eye injury, which ruined the two’s confrontation plans.
Recently, Spence said he is no longer interested in fighting Pacquiao.
