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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 19: Manny Pacquiao in the ring during the WBA welterweight championship against Adrien Broner at MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 19, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 19: Manny Pacquiao in the ring during the WBA welterweight championship against Adrien Broner at MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 19, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
After making his debut in exhibition fights on December 11 against YouTuber DK Yoo, Manny Pacquiao is planning yet another exhibition fight. ‘Pac-man‘ disclosed that he made a deal with Rizin and will return to fight in 2023. In addition, Pacquiao revealed the type of fighter he was now pursuing. In his last fight, he faced YouTuber-cum-Martial-artist DK Yoo who lacked competence in boxing.
This time around Pacquiao wants to fight an MMA fighter who as ‘Pac-man’ believes “knows how to punch” in the ring. Regarding both his last and upcoming fight, the following is what Pacquiao said: “It was good to have an exhibition fight last December 11. And I’m excited, so happy. My opponent is [was] a martial artist so doesn’t [didn’t] know about boxing at all. That’s why he experienced a hard time in the ring.”
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LAS VEGAS – NOVEMBER 14: Manny Pacquiao celebrates his 12-round TKO victory against Miguel Cotto during their WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14, 2009, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
“But this next exhibition fight, here in Japan is different. I think probably because my opponent is a professional MMA fighter. So, he knows how to punch, of course,” Pacquiao. Unlike his last fight where he faced a YouTuber-cum-Martial-Artist, Pacquiao believes his next opponent, being a professional fighter, will bring something of a challenge to the ring.
Manny Pacquiao follows in rival Floyd Mayweather’s footsteps
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Floyd Mayweather fought two opponents from Rizin. In 2018, he faced Tenshin Nasukawa and then in 2022, he squared off against Mikuru Asakura. It is safe to say that none of these fighters came close to challenging Mayweather due to their lack of expertise in boxing. While Nasukawa was a kickboxer, Asakura was a mixed martial artist.
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 02: Floyd Mayweather Jr. throws a left at Manny Pacquiao during their welterweight unification championship bout on May 2, 2015 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
As per sources, Pacquiao will also square off against fighters in Japan who do not essentially belong to boxing. “I always in preparation and training. I play basketball almost every day. When the scheduled flight is confirmed that’s the time I’m going to start focusing on training,” said Pacquiao.
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What do you think about Pacquiao finally following in the footsteps of ‘Money’ Mayweather? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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