Breaking: Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao announces he will fight under Japanese MMA promotion Rizin next year
Manny Pacquiao is in attendance for the Rizin FF x Bellator MMA New Year's Eve event, which takes place this evening (December 31). In a surprising announcement prior to the start of the card, the boxing legend announced he would be competing in MMA next year.
'PacMan' will make his MMA debut under the Rizin Fighting Federation's banner in Japan, however, an opponent and date are yet to be announced. The incredible news drew a rumble of applause from elated fans. They will no doubt be counting down the days until Manny Pacquiao's already anticipated debut.
During his speech at the Rizin FF x Bellator MMA event, 'PacMan' said the following:
"A few months ago I was here as a guest, and now I have some very exciting news to share tonight. I have agreed with Rizin to fight next year. The date will soon be announced, and so will the opponent, that Rizin will choose. And I'm open and excited to fight a Japanese fighter, thank you."
Watch the video below:
!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 ] https://t.co/iLPMIK9wRj
Manny Pacquiao stated that he would fight any Japanese MMA fighter chosen by Rizin's founder, Nobuyuki Sakakibara. One wonders if he will select a favorable opponent for 'PacMan'.
Manny Pacquiao claims that Floyd Mayweather is scared to have a rematch
Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather were involved in arguably the most anticipated boxing match of the last 40 years in 2015. The pair went to war over 12 rounds, with Mayweather winning the fight via UD.
Rumors of a rematch have circulated briefly over the past seven years, but the fight has never come close to being organized.
'PacMan' entered the ring in 2015 at 36 years old, and Mayweather at 38 years old, with the two fighters already 'past their prime' to a degree.
Despite Manny Pacquiao nearing the age of 45 now, he appeared eager to face 'Money' one last time.
During an interview with Lance Pugmire of FightHype.com, 'PacMan' said the following:
"I'm willing to have a real fight with [Mayweather], not an exhibition. We need to answer those questions in the minds of the fans... Up until now they ask me about the rematch. I told them, 'I don't think he'll fight again. He's scared to death to have a rematch with me.' That's my analysis."
Watch the interview below from 3:25: