Boxing’s only eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao returns to the squared circle for Super Rizin 3, facing off against Chihiro Suzuki at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena on July 28, 2024.
The Fighting Pride of the Philippines spoils his two-year hiatus from the ring, scheduling a three-round exhibition with the Rizin Featherweight Champion, abiding by the federation’s “special standing bout regulations” for the 68.0 kg weight class.
News of the pair’s clash was officially announced last Sunday, June 9, 2024, during Rizin 47’s festivities, with both individuals in attendance. Suzuki, who stands around three inches taller than the former Filipino senator, had two belts danging on his shoulders in the pre-bout face-off.
Suzuki appeared confident in his kickboxing and Muay Thai abilities, predicting a knockout in the first round. Noting a 26-year age gap between the fighters, Pacquiao chirped back with his thoughts on the difficulty of mixed martial arts (MMA) compared to boxing.
“I will let him know that boxing is harder than MMA,” he addressed Tokyo, Japan’s Yoyogi National Stadium.
Pacquiao last saw action against South Korean martial artist-YouTuber DK Yoo in December 2022, where he orchestrated a convincing unanimous decision victory in their six-round charity duel.
Harder in terms of what? If boxing is hard,then it only follows training more fighting styles is much harder to master and defend against.