MMA Fighting has Manny Pacquiao vs. Rukiya Anpo live round-by-round updates for the legend’s unexpected return at Super Rizin 3 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on Sunday morning.
The Pacquiao vs. Anpo exhibition is expected to begin around 5 a.m. ET on Rizin pay-per-view. Check out our Pacquiao vs. Anpo results page to find out what happened on the undercard.
Manny Pacquiao, who compiled a 62-8-2 record in his career, last competed against Yordenis Ugas, losing via unanimous decision on Aug. 21, 2021. There are rumors Pacquiao might make a return to pro boxing.
Rukiya Anpo, who is 27-8-1 in his kickboxing career, hasn’t competed since losing his MMA debut on Dec. 31, 2023. He fell to Yuta Kubo via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:28 in the first round.
Get Pacquiao vs. Anpo round-by-round live blog below:
What’s up, y’all? It’s 6:30 a.m. ET, the sun is already shining, old man Kazushi Sakuraba just cut an in-ring promo, and it feels like UFC 304 was three days ago. Who’s ready for some exhibition boxing?! Ahhh yes. Anpo makes his walk first to an absolutely lavish production. How can you not love this kind of pageantry? And here comes the 45-year-old boxing legend to the immortal sounds of “Eye of the Tiger.” Ryan Garcia is ringside for this one. Pacquiao looks to be in stellar shape for a man his age. Standing 5-foot-5 at a most generous reading, he’s dwarfed by the 6-foot kickboxer awaiting him. Let’s do this.
Round 1: They touch ‘em up and we’re off. Pacquiao immediately takes the center of the ring. It’s almost comical how much larger Anpo is than him. Anpo paws out a long jab. Pacquiao jabs his way inside but eats a long shot for his troubles. Pacquiao ducks under a right hand but eats another shot, this time an uppercut. Anpo doubles up his jab. Pacquiao is trying to figure out this range early. Sneaky left hand lands for Anpo. Pacquiao starting to wearing that damage a bit under his right eye. Anpo goes to the body and coaxes a smile out of Pacquiao. Pacquiao flurries with authority. Solid round for the underdog. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 Anpo.
Round 2: Pacquiao looks focused coming out for round two. Anpo continues to paw out that long jab. Pacquiao flurries and catches Anpo at the end of a right hand. Anpo pressures forward and throws against the ropes. They reset and Anpo continues to be the aggressor. Anpo goes high then low. Slick counter right from Pacquiao. Things are starting to heat up now. Anpo goes high then low again, followed by another shot to the liver. Pacquiao responds with a body shot of his own. Anpo triples up with his jab. Pacquiao calls him forward but can’t find a home for a flurry. He still hasn’t figured out that length. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 Anpo. (20-18 Anpo.)
Round 3: Anpo comes out firing his jab. He seems to be surprising even himself. They both load up and throw heavy leather in the center of the ring. Anpo is loving this. Overhand from Anpo seems to hurt Pacquiao! Anpo is throwing with reckless abandon now! Pacquiao ties up and resets. Anpo whiffs on a combination and Pacquiao complains of a wayward elbow. Anpo throws everything into a left hand that lands! Pacquiao seems hurt again. One minute left to work. Anpo connects with a big uppercut but Pacquiao just eats it. Pacquiao flurries in response. This is fun. Now they’re chucking! And it’s a sprint to the finish! OK, that was way more fun than it had any right to be. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 Anpo. (30-27 Anpo.)
The fight is an exhibition, thus no rounds are officially judged and no winner is officially announced. Great show, gentlemen.
