Home » Pacquiao settles for draw against Anpo in Tokyo exhibition fight

Pacquiao settles for draw against Anpo in Tokyo exhibition fight

Manny Pacquiao settles for a draw against Japanese Rukiya Anpo in their exhibition fight in Tokyo on Sunday.

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PACQUIAO SETTLES FOR DRAW AGAINST ANPO IN THREE-ROUND EXHIBITION FIGHT

Furthermore, Pacquiao settles for a draw against Anpo in their three-round Rizin-promoted exhibition fight at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo.

Pacquiao needed to adjust against the younger and taller Anpo, a replacement fighter after mixed martial artist Chihiro Suzuki was injured.

Moreover, the 45-year-old boxing icon struggled to counter the 26-year-old Anpo’s offense throughout the well-attended bout.

However, Pacquiao had his moments in the third round when he peppered his six-foot Japanese opponent with a flurry of punches.

In the end, “PacMan” cited the change of opponent and the thick ring matting at the venue as factor that he had to adjust on the fly.

“It’s really surprising to me that they changed the opponent. It’s hard to adjust. Anpo is way bigger than Suzuki,” Pacquiao said at his post-fight conference.

“The matting, the floor, it’s hard to move,” he added.

At 45, Manny Pacquiao returned to the ring against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo, showing glimpses of his former self but taking some serious shots. With the bout ruled a draw by default, fans are questioning his planned comeback to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC… pic.twitter.com/xS6cxzNK1y

— FTTV Boxing (@FTTVBoxing) July 28, 2024

ANPO WANTS TO ‘FINISH’ PACQUIAO OFF BUT ADMITS OPPONENT WAS ‘TOUGH’

Moreover, Anpo wanted to “finish” Pacquiao off but admitted that his opponent was “tough.”

“I really want to finish him (Pacquiao) off but he’s tough,” Anpo said.

“His punches weren’t really heavy. I’m having fun, I feel like I’m on a roll,” he added.,

Furthermore, Anpo resorted to jabs at the start of the third round and traded punches with Pacquiao for a few seconds.

The Japanese shook the eight-division world champion with an overhand and tried to go for the kill before Pacquiao responded.

Pacquiao used a flurry of punches, with most landing on target just before the final bell sounded.

THANK YOU EVERYONE! Thank you Rizin for a great event and to Anpo for a great fight. THANK YOU TO ALL OF JAPAN! Thanks to my family, team, and friends for your love and support. Thank you, my fellow Filipinos, for your prayers and support. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas 🇵🇭

Above all,… pic.twitter.com/sKJuxrUBXH

— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) July 28, 2024

MORE WORK TO DO AS ‘PACMAN’ ONLY IN 60% FORM; OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER COMEBACK FIGHT POSSIBLE

Furthermore, there’s more work to do after Pacquiao acknowledged he’s only in 60% form but he was pleased he managed to put on a good show.

“But it’s a good experience. I’m happy because we gave a good action (-packed) fight to the fans,” Pacquiao said.

“He’s (Anpo) strong and fights well even though he lacks experience. He’s also way bigger than me,” he added.

Moreover, the fight can be used as a gauge by Pacquiao to determine if he can push through with his comeback fight plans later this year.

It was reported that Pacquiao is looking at a professional ring comeback against Mario Barrios for the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title in October or November.

The fighter-turned-politician even described the exhibition bout as a “good tune-up.”

Pacquiao and his entourage are expected to take the flight back to Manila on Monday.

Manny Pacquiao a shadow of his former self and frankly beaten up at times as he goes the distance in his exhibition fight vs Rukiya Anpo in Tokyo. Bout ruled a draw by default with no judges, but three hard rounds for the 45-year-old vs a Japanese kickboxer. Pacquiao has been in…

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) July 28, 2024