Manny Pacquiao might be reconsidering his decision to make a surprise return to the ring against Mario Barrios after his recent exhibition match against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo on July 28th.

The 45-year-old former eight-weight world champion faced significant challenges during the bout, raising questions about whether it’s time for him to retire for good.

Meanwhile, Rukiya Anpo, buoyed by his performance against Pacquiao, is eager to test his skills against boxing greats Floyd Mayweather and Ryan Garcia.

In the exhibition match, the younger and taller Rukiya Anpo caused Manny Pacquiao considerable trouble with his powerful overhand punches. At 45, Pacquiao lacked the footwork, quickness, and head movement that once defined his boxing style. Although Pacquiao was visibly outperformed, the match was declared a draw, preserving his legacy.

Fresh from his impressive showing against Pacquiao, Rukiya Anpo now aims to avenge Japan’s previous losses to Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather famously toyed with Japanese fighters Tenshin Nasukawa and Mikuru Asakura in past exhibition matches. Anpo, confident in his abilities, called out Mayweather on social media, alongside trending star Ryan Garcia. Anpo, standing at 6’0″ and only 28 years old, believes he could defeat either Mayweather or Garcia in just three rounds.

Ryan Garcia attended the Pacquiao vs. Anpo event as a guest of honor, having recently faced a ban from the NYSAC and expulsion from the WBC. During his visit, Garcia delivered a speech at the official weigh-in, expressing his admiration for Pacquiao and his love for Tokyo. However, his presence almost led to an altercation with another Rizin kickboxer, Kouzi.

At the weigh-in, Garcia repeatedly heckled Kouzi by saying “arigato” (thank you in Japanese). This provoked Kouzi, who responded with an unsportsmanlike gesture and attempted to confront Garcia. Security intervened just in time, forcefully removing Kouzi and preventing the situation from escalating further.

As Manny Pacquiao contemplates his future in boxing, his recent performance against Rukiya Anpo has sparked debates about whether he should retire. Meanwhile, Anpo’s bold challenges to Floyd Mayweather and Ryan Garcia indicate that he is ready to take on some of the biggest names in boxing. The outcome of these potential matchups remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the world of combat sports continues to be as unpredictable and exciting as ever.

https://x.com/anpo_rukiya/status/1817845056067244301