JAKARTA - Former boxer from the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao, is preparing to return to the boxing ring. He took the MMA fighting Federation Rizin to fight the UFC fight.
Pacquiao officially retired after losing to Cuban Yordenis Ugas in August 2021. He went into politics and ran for president of the Philippines, but lost.
"There are extraordinary steps. There is a big fight in Rizin and the atmosphere of the audience is extraordinary," he said as quoted by The Sun.
"But this next exhibition match in Japan, it's different because I think maybe my opponent is a professional UFC fighter, MMA. So he knows how to beat and of course to take cover," he added.
After losing the presidential election, Pacquiao then made a comeback to boxing in December. He beat South Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in an exhibition duel.
"It's nice to have an exhibition fight last December 11, and I'm happy and very happy. My opponent is martial arts, who doesn't know anything about boxing, so that's why he's having trouble in the ring," he said.
Former boxer Floyd Mayweather, 45, has also fought twice under Rizin's flag. He was recorded as defeating Tenshin Nasukawa and Mikuru Asakura.
Pacquiao himself watched live as Mayweather beat Asakura in two rounds. The presence of the two champions sparked talks about a rematch between the two.
However, Mayweather then put aside the second fight with his big rival. In fact, he previously won over Pacman in 2015.
The American legend has had five exhibition fights since retiring as a professional in 2017 after defeating former UFC champion Conor McGregor.
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