Former eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring in 2023 and will continue with his exhibition fights, the next one against a rival and date to be confirmed.
After his fight against DK Yoo and among rumors that he wants to return to professional boxing, Pacquiao announced his fight for thsi year, and he will do so with the Rizin company, which in the coming weeks will announce the date and opponent for the “PacMan”.
“I was here as a guest a few months ago and today I have a very exciting announcement,” Pacquiao said at a company event. “I have agreed with Rizin to fight next year.”
Thus, Pacquiao will continue with his exhibition fights, as his former rival Floyd Mayweather Jr does. The next one would be with a Japanese.
“The date will be announced soon and also my opponent who will choose Rizin,” Pacquiao added. “I’m open and excited to fight a Japanese fighter.”
Nobuyuki Sakakibara, Rizin’s boss, questioned the former world champion if he was interested in fighting any Japanese, and “PacMan” said yes.
Mayweather has fought twice for Rizin, first in 2018 when he beat Tenshin Nasukawa, and in September with Mikuru Asakura. In a similar manner, Pacquiao follows in the footsteps of the former undefeated champion to continue in exhibition fights.
Pacquiao’s last fight in professional boxing was on August 21, 2021, when he lost in an upset to Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas.
