Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao appeared on Saturday’s Rizin FF 40 broadcast and announced his intention to compete for the promotion in 2023.
“A few months ago, I was here as a guest and today I have a very exciting announcement tonight,” Pacquiao said during an in-ring appearance. “I have agreed with Rizin to fight next year, the date will soon be announced and also my opponent that Rizin will choose. I’m open and excited to fight a Japanese fighter.”
𝐀 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓…
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
Manny Pacquiao I sign one fight contract. But I think there is more. I will fight anybody. I want fight who have boxing experience. I know Japanese are good fighters. There is good Japanese boxer like Naoya Inoue. pic.twitter.com/fTmayW7Px5
— shiroobi (@shiroobi) December 31, 2022
Pacquiao, 44, and Rizin FF president Nobuyuki Sakakibara announced in front of the crowd at Saitama Super Arena outside Tokyo that the former world champion boxer will step into the Rizin FF ring next year, but did not clarify who or which ruleset under which he will compete.
Pacquiao is not the first legendary boxer to work with Rizin. His longtime rival and one-time opponent Floyd Mayweather has fought in a pair of exhibition bouts with the organization, as well.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Rizin FF 40: Rizin vs. Bellator.
