Manny Pacquiao and Rukiya Anpo pose ahead of their exhibition fight as part of Super RIZIN 3 card on Sunday at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.–MP Promotions/Wendell Alinea
TOKYO–Manny Pacquiao’s exhibition match in Japan is only set for three rounds.
And that’s if it lasts that long–a scenario that Pacquiao’s longtime cornerman Buboy Fernandez doesn’t want to happen on Sunday.
Instead, Fernandez is pushing for it to be over as early as the opening round.
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“Minsan lang tayo magyabang pero patumbahin na natin ng round one,” a confident Fernandez said Saturday shortly after the official weigh-in at Westin Hotel here. “Uuwi tayong maaga.”
It won’t come as a surprise if Pacquiao does just that against Japan’s Rukiya Anpo, who is a kickboxer and mixed martial artist.
The 45-year-old Pacquiao is also in talks for a world title fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios that is being targeted for October or November and a spectacular performance will certainly boost his imminent ring return after retiring in 2021.
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But the eight-division champion as usual refused to make any predictions.
“I don’t make predictions when I fight. I just want to do my best and make the fans happy,” Pacquiao said.
The exhibition highlights a loaded Super RIZIN 3 card at Saitama Super Arena.