DESPITE being made to work overtime in a short, three-round match by Japanese kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo, Manny Pacquiao is hell-bent on pursuing a boxing comeback just before 2024 comes to an end.
The Filipino boxing icon, who will be turning 46 on December, bared he’s determined to vie for another crack at a world title in his ring comeback following a three-year hiatus.
“This was a tune up for my plan to return in October or November,” said Pacquiao in a post-fight presser in Japan following his exhibition fight with the 6-foot Anpo Sunday night at the Saitama Super Arena.
Boxing’s only eight-time world division champion wasn’t specific about his planned ring return, but it’s an open secret his camp has been in major talks with reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios about a possible title fight later this year in the US.
Pacquiao gave emphasis on his comeback fight despite finding the 28-year-old Anpo a tough customer during their three round exhibition bout.
The former Fighter of the Decade struggled to find an answer on Anpo’s height and reach advantage, and were at times, at the receiving end of the sharp jabs courtesy by the Japanese.
Photo: Wendell Alinea
“He boxed very well and he has a future in boxing,” said Pacquiao in complimenting Anpo, a former K-1 super-lightweight champion.
But the Japanese acknowledge Pacquiao’s punches still packs a wallop despite his advanced age.
“One time he hit me with a counter and it hurt,” the Japanese admitted.
The exhibition match was the second time in two years for ‘The Pacman," with his first salvo being a sixth-round unanimous decision win against South Korean martial artist DK Yoo in 2022.
Photo: Wendell Alinea
In terms of competitive fights, Pacquiao hasn’t been fully-tested inside the ring since losing to Cuban Yordeni Ugas via unanimous decision in a failed attempt to wrest the WBA welterweight title in August of 2021.
Shortly after the loss, Pacquiao announced his retirement.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
