Co-main event of Super Rizin 3 on Sunday, replacing Pacquiao's planned bout with Chihiro Suzuki. Boxing rules, three rounds of three minutes apiece contested at 69kg (basically light middleweight). The former K-1 super lightweight champion and welterweight Grand Prix runner-up and black belt Kyokushin karateka from Japan will be fined $5,000,000 if instincts take over and he accidentally kicks Pacquiao during the match, or violates any of the other agreed upon rules of engagement. This exhibition taking place under the framework of the Filipino's discipline offsets the inherent advantages of Anpo being 28 years old (to Pac's 45), and enjoying a 6½″ height advantage over Pac at 6'0". The plan for Pacquiao remains the same. If he looks good here, sights are set on Mario Barrios for a return to professional action. Pacquiao is 62-8-2 with 39 kayos in pro boxing. Anpo is 27-8-1 with 14 kayos in pro kickboxing, and 0-1 (submitted) in pro MMA.
Oh yeah - Anpo has been knocked out in 5 of 8 his eight losses in kickboxing. (Pacquiao, as we know, x3 in boxing)
As it should be. What's there to be excited about other than a washed up legend that still doesn't want to be fully retired yet? Just like with Mayweather's exhibition fights they just come and then go as if nothing has happened. Nobody really cares too much about them. Same thing with this upcoming exhibition fight. Pac seriously needs to call it a day and move on away from the boxing ring. His best days are over.
No doubt - but far lesser fighters than Pac have fought in exhibitions with Muay Thai or UFC guys and gotten at least a bit of engagement. This is really pathetic for someone of his stature...not that many tweets about Rizin, either.
If Pacquiao just fought some exhibitions every once in awhile and didn't talk about a possible return to the Pro ranks, it would be cool. It would give the younger fans a chance to see a true legend in the sport, even if it's just glorified sparring. We have very few Fighters left of the caliber of Manny Pacquiao, a true bona fide all time great. Same with Mayweather . These types of Fighters are dwindling fast, and will probably never see the like of them again.
Btw, since people keep bumping the Pac vs. Chihiro Suzuki thread in the aftermath of Super Rizin 3 from earlier this morning - this was the opponent Pac officially fought to a draw (but really lost to) in Japan. Rukiya Anpo, not Chihiro Suzuki. https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/emmanuel-dapidran-pacquiao-vs-rukiya-anpo.724192/ @Badbot @Chuck Norris @Dorrian_Grey @ElCyclon @Flo_Raiden @FrankinDallas @Lesion of Doom @MVC! @Pepsi Dioxide @PIPO23 @Rumsfeld @Shazzar23 @Smoochie @The one
To be honest, Pac fans should be collectively thanking all their lucky stars that it was just an exhibition. Had this been a 10-rounder and counted officially towards his pro record...sheesh.
I thought Pac won the third and hurt Anpo. He most certainly found his range and started landing with authority, especially that uppercut. So a 10 rounder might have gone the old mans way. I for one wouldn´t mind an actual fight between the two. It would be fun.
