By REYNALD MAGALLON
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao seemed to have never missed a beat, flashing his vintage form during a workout in Japan and ahead of his exhibition match against Rukiya Anpo on Sunday, July 28, at the Saitama Super Arena.
Pacquiao, along with his team and family, was already in Japan since Tuesday, July 23, to continue his preparations for the three-round exhibition set at a catchweight of 152 lbs.
The 45-year-old boxing great and only eight-division world champion shook off the cobwebs after a year of boxing inactivity. He continues to display what seemed to be timeless speed and power as he hit the boxing mitts with longtime trainer Buboy Fernandez on Wednesday, July 24.
Pacquiao last set foot on the boxing ring in an exhibition with Korean DK Yoo in December 2022.
He is supposed to fight Japanese martial artist Chichiro Suzuki for the July bout but the latter was forced to pull out due to an injury. Anpo, a 28-year-old Japanese kickboxer, entered the picture as a late replacement.
Anpo, also former K-1 super lightweight champion and standing at 6-foot, is set to become the tallest opponent Pacquiao will ever face. He is an inch taller than the 5-foot-11 Antonio Margarito, who the Filipino great defeated for the WBC super welterweight crown.
Pacquaio has a fighting record of 62-8-2 with 39 knockouts, although he has long retired from professional boxing following a loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
