Pacquiao foe Rukiya Anpo risking $5 million fine in exhibition

Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo faces Manny Pacquiao in a three-round exhibition match in the main event of Super RIZIN 3 at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.–Photo from Rizin

TOKYO–Japanese kickboxer and mixed martial artist Rukiya Anpo faces a steep risk taking on Manny Pacquiao in a three-round exhibition in the main event of Super RIZIN 3 on Sunday at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

A strike attempt outside boxing rules will cost Anpo a hefty fine of $5 million, according to RIZIN Fighting Federation president Nobuyuki Sakakibara.

“Any violations will be punishable by $5 million fine,” Sakakibara said.

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That includes feinting or pretending to attempt a kick–which is already a challenge for the 28-year-old Anpo, who has been figuring in competitive kickboxing since 2010 when he was still an amateur at just 14 years old.

“At the time of the Tenshin vs Mayweather match in 2018, that was approximately 500 million yen. However, due to the weak yen, that figure is now around 750 million yen.”

Sakakibara was pertaining to the exhibition fight where Floyd Mayweather Jr. stopped Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in the first round also at Saitama Super Arena.

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When asked if Anpo could afford to pay such amount in the event of incurring a fine, Sakakibara didn’t offer much choice.

“If not, he will have no choice but to pay with his body.”

Pacquiao and Anpo, a former K-1 champion, will fight at a 152-pound catchweight.

The 45-year-old Pacquiao arrived here three days ago and held an open workout on Thursday night at Kod Lab Gym in Shinjuku City.