Manny Pacquiao announced during the RIZIN FF 40 broadcast at Saitama Super Arena on Saturday that he had signed with the promotion and expects to compete 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 appearance at the event. “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.”
Manny Pacquiao Reunites With Former Foe Floyd Mayweather in RIZIN
As a professional boxer, Manny Pacquiao is nothing short of a legend, winning 12 major world titles in eight different divisions making him the first and only octuple champion in the sport’s storied history. He became the first boxer to win the lineal championship in five different weight classes and has held world championships across four different decades.
Pacquiao isn’t the first legendary boxer to sign with the Japanese combat sports promotion. Undefeated superstar Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather has made two appearances for the organization thus far earning knockouts over Tenshin Nasakawa and Mikuru Asakura.
Pacquiao and Mayweather are no strangers to one another. Billed as the Fight of the Century, the two icons clashed in 2015 with Mayweather earning a unanimous decision victory. It was the highest-grossing pay-per-view event in U.S. history, generating an estimated 4.6 million buys with total revenue of over $400 million.
