Manny Pacquiao attends Rizin, cross paths with Mayweather
Retired eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao was in Japan over the weekend to attend the Super Rizin card that featured old rival Floyd Mayweather, Jr in the main event.
Pacquiao was present during the press conference. He also had a brief message to everyone before the last match of the event started.
“I am here to support my boxer who is going to fight… Asakura Mikuru,” Pacquiao said during the presscon. He echoed the same sentinment when he was asked to speak on the ring, wishing his ward good luck.
Asakura, Mayweather’s opponent in the exhibition boxing bout, went to the Philippines to pick up tips and be trained by “PacMan” himself. However, the MMA fighter and former Fighting Network Rings champion succumbed to Mayweather’s blows, getting knocked out at the end of the second round in a scheduled three-round battle.
Pacquiao and Mayweather have been making rounds in the exhibition boxing circuit, a trend that had a recent uptick after celebrities and amateurs organized high profile bouts that turned out to be successful moneymakers. Manny have two fights lined up: in December against DK Yoo and next year against Jaber Zayani.
“Money” will have another fight in November in Dubai. There are also talk of him having a rematch against Conor McGregor next.
As for another try against Manny? Floyd, Jr looks like is balking at the idea right now.
“I am not going to take no punishment to the point to where I can barely walk and barely talk,” the retired undefeated boxer said after his victory. “People will always pay to get a glimpse of Floyd Mayweather. So, why would I go out there and… fight a top fighter when I can get the same amount of money for three rounds with whoever?”
