By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
After two years since entering the ring in an exhibition bout against YouTube star DK Yoo, Manny Pacquiao is set for a highly-anticipated boxing return on July 28, 2024, against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo.
The exhibition bout will be held in the famous Saitama Super Arena in Japan and will follow a three-round format under strict boxing guidelines.
Despite the unfavorable weather conditions in the Philippines, Pacquaio already arrived in Japan and will have several days to wrap up his training preparations against Anpo.
Pacquiao will be looking to replicate his dominant performance against Yoo two years ago who scored a lopsided win over the South Korean.
Soon as the bell rang, it was like the Pacman of old as the former multi-champion threw down a barrage of jabs to kick off his majestic showcase.
Everything was still there. Pacman’s footwork, speed, fluid head movement, and his signature left hook.
The Filipino living legend started the bout slow and missed his first few 1-2 signature combinations but after a minute past, Pacquiao started to gain his rhythm after hitting Yoo with a solid left straight.
Pacquiao then never looked back and continued his offensive clinic in the next rounds. During the third, Pacman was able to rock Yoo with several double-jab punches and was clearly ahead of the scorecards.
However, Pacquiao can’t be confident against Anpo as the Japanese is a former K-1 super lightweight champion in kickboxing. Younger and taller, Anpo possesses a huge physical advantage over boxing’s only eight-division world champion.
Under the strict rules of the fight, Anpo will not be allowed to fire any kicks as the match’s format will follow everything under boxing’s scoring and disqualification guideline.
