Manny Pacquiao has announced his first boxing match since retiring in 2022.
Boxing News: Fury vs. Usyk 2 Date & Location Officially Confirmed
The fighting pride of the Philippines will return for a three-round exhibition at Super RIZIN 3 inside the Saitama Super Arena on July 28 against RIZIN featherweight champion Chihiro Suzuki. The two fighters faced off after RIZIN 47 on June 9.
RIZIN Featherweight champ Chihiro Suzuki confirmed as Manny Pacquiao’s opponent at Super RIZIN 3 on 7/28. pic.twitter.com/lD5XO30yvM
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 9, 2024
Pacquiao isn’t the first great boxer to compete under the RIZIN banner. His boxing rival, Floyd Mayweather Jr., has had two fights in RIZIN against kickboxing phenoms Tenshin Nasukawa and Mikuru Asakura, winning both.
Watch: World’s Strongest Man KO’s Opponent Stiff in 2v1 Freak Show MMA Fight
Pacquiao commented on Mayweather’s success in the promotion during the RIZIN 46 post-event presser:
“Floyd is different, he chooses his opponents,” Pacquiao remarked. “No, I’m not choosing my opponents. Whoever wants to challenge me, I challenge… That’s the difference.”
Boxing News: Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Fight Announced for 2024
Pacquiao already appeared in RIZIN at RIZIN 45 in December 2023. There, CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara asked Pacquiao if he’d fight Floyd Mayweather under their banner, to which Pacquiao replied, “I’m ready.”
CEO Sakakibara: “Could you please fight against Floyd Mayweather?”
Manny Pacquiao: “I’m ready.”
📡 Watch on @FITEtv !🔻https://t.co/eEpfmslhPp pic.twitter.com/gwod6x8wKm
— RIZIN.tv (@RIZINTV_) December 31, 2023
It’s all still up in the air, but fight fans could see a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 this decade, exhibition or not.
Stick with MMA Knockout for daily coverage of the UFC, MMA, WWE, and AEW. Follow MMA Knockout on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
