Manny Pacquiao holds first training in Japan

Manny Pacquiao goes through a training session with Buboy Fernandez at Kyokuto Gym in Tokyo, Japan. –WENDELL ALINEA

MANILA, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao wasted no time and went right to work as he gears up for his ring return on Sunday in Japan.

Pacquiao was back into training mode Wednesday ahead of his exhibition boxing match against Japanese kickboxer and mixed martial artist Rukiya Anpo at Saitama Arena.

The boxing legend touched down at Haneda International Airport Tuesday night accompanied by his wife Jinkee and children Michael, Queenie, Princess and Israel.

READ: Manny Pacquiao arrives in Japan for exhibition bout

Pacquiao, 45, trained under the guidance of childhood friend and longtime trainer Buboy Fernandez at Kyokuto Gym in Tokyo.

Pacquiao and the 28-year-old Anpo will figure in a three-minute, three-round fight with no judges’ decision.

The sport’s only eight-division champion was last seen in the ring back in December 2022 when he faced South Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in an exhibition in Seoul.

Pacquiao retired in 2021 not long after an upset loss to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas.

His name, however, remained relevant in the boxing circle with rumors of a potential comeback surfacing every now and then.

Just last month, Pacquiao said he was in talks for a possible bout against Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight belt.