Manny Pacquiao arrives in Japan for exhibition bout

Manny Pacquiao arrives in Japan with his family ahead of his exhibition fight set for Sunday. –WENDEL ALINEA

MANILA, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao arrived in Japan Tuesday night ahead of his exhibition fight at Saitama Arena.

Pacquiao, who was flocked by fans at Haneda International Airport upon his arrival, is set for a three-minute, three-round boxing match against Japanese kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo on Sunday.

The boxing legend, who retired in 2021, arrived at Haneda International Airport with his wife Jinkee and children Michael, Queenie, Princess and Israel.

The 45-year-old Pacquiao was supposed to take on Rizin featherweight champion Chihiro Suzuki, who reportedly pulled out due to a broken hand.

The bout, which will have no judges’ decision, will be Pacquiao’s first since his exhibition match against South Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in Seoul back in December 2022.

READ: Manny Pacquiao ‘ready to go’ for comeback fight–possibly in Saudi

Boxing’s only eight-division champion called it a career following a stunning loss to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas but talks of a possible comeback have followed him through the years especially after he lost the 2022 presidential race.

Just last month, he said he was in talks to face American Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight world title.