Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao throughout his look within the Rizin 45 occasion in Saitama, Japan.
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao seeks to face rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a rematch in 2024.
The previous eight-division world champion on New 12 months’s Eve introduced through the Rizin 45 combined martial arts occasion in Saitama that he may have a “huge struggle” in Japan this 12 months.
Rizin chief govt Nobuyuki Sakakibara revealed that Pacquiao will likely be dealing with Mayweather 9 years after final dealing with one another in what was dubbed the “Struggle of the Century.”
Sakakibara requested the Filipino boxer if he might struggle Mayweather this 12 months and the latter answered: “I’m prepared.”
CEO Sakakibara: “Might you please struggle towards Floyd Mayweather?”
Manny Pacquiao: “I am prepared.”
📡 Watch on @FITEtv !🔻https://t.co/eEpfmslhPp pic.twitter.com/gwod6x8wKm
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2023
“Thanks a lot for inviting me right here once more. I’m sorry for the final time that we promised that we had been going to struggle this 12 months, however like Sakakibara-san defined,” mentioned Pacquiao, who had promised to have an exhibition match towards a Japanese fighter throughout his 2022 New 12 months’s Eve look but it surely didn’t push by means of.
However the 45-year-old retired skilled boxer promised one thing greater to the Japanese crowd.
“[This] 12 months I hope to see you right here in Japan once more with an enormous struggle towards …” mentioned Pacquiao earlier than Sakakibara quipped: “Floyd Mayweather.”
“Floyd Mayweather, yeah. I believed you didn’t need me to say that. However I’m excited for that. Thanks for all the time supporting Rizin, and thanks Sakakibara-san,” he added.
Each Pacquiao and Rizin didn’t disclose the total particulars of their doable rematch as Mayweather’s camp has but to answer the announcement as of posting time.
The Pacquiao-Mayweather’s bout was held in Might 2015, which broke the pay-per-view information.
Mayweather beat Pacquiao by unanimous determination and unified the World Boxing Affiliation, World Boxing Council, and World Boxing Group welterweight championships.
The American boxer hung his glove unbeaten in 50 bouts in 2017, whereas Pacquiao retired three years in the past when he determined to run as president within the Might 9, 2022 elections however he misplaced.
Pacquiao final fought towards South Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in his first exhibition match by unanimous determination in six rounds final December 2022.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please strive once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
The previous senator has one other exhibition set in April towards Thai Buakaw Banchamek.
Mayweather already noticed motion in 10 exhibition matches however his final in June towards John Gotti III ended up with an in-ring brawl.