Manny Pacquiao is taking his talents to Japan.
The 44-year-old boxing legend announced on Saturday that he’s inked a deal with Rizin to compete in the promotion in 2023 against an opponent still to be determined. Pacquiao appeared in the ring during the Rizin 40 card where he addressed the crowd at the Saitama Super Arena.
” A few months back, I was here to announce a new exciting fight. I have agreed to fight Rizin next year. The date and opponent will be revealed soon. I’m open and excited to fight a Japanese fighter.”
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The Pac-Man, @MannyPacquiao himself will fight in the RIZIN ring in 2023 against a Japanese fighter !
[ #RIZIN40 | @FiteTV PPV link in bio ] pic.twitter.com/iLPMIK9wRj
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2022
Pacquiao joined the Rizin president Nobuyuki Sakakibara in the ring, where he asked him whether he would face any Japanese opponent. As the Japanese crowd cheered his arrival, the multi-time champion boxer answered “yes”.
After Floyd Mayweather and Rizin teamed up on several occasions to promote exhibition bouts, Pacquiao was the latest boxer who has partnered with Rizin.
Pacquiao attended Mayweather’s final performance in Rizin in September, when the former boxing champ defeated Mikuru Asakura by a TKO in round two.
Now Pacquiao will join Mayweather as part of the Rizin roster after he also made the decision to get involved in exhibition bouts following his retirement from the sport in 2021.
Since then, Pacquiao has picked up a pair of wins in those exhibition bouts and now he’ll look to continue that momentum when he debuts with Rizin in 2023.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/31/23533315/manny-pacquiao-announces-he-signed-rizin-with-plans-to-fight-in-2023?rand=96749
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