Manny Pacquiao given new opponent for boxing return as MMA champion pulls out of Super Rizin fight

Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring will be without Rizin champion Chihiro Suzuki after he was forced out by injury

The boxing legend was due to face Suzuki, who holds belts in KNOCK OUT and Rizin, but will now take on kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in a major change-up. Suzuki recently took on Takanori Gomi, and suffered a broken hand during the contest which won’t heal in time for July 28.

Pacquiao is now going to take on Anpo in an exhibition bout over three rounds of three minutes with no judges scoring. It could signal the beginning of a final run in the professional ranks as he eyes up Mario Barrios’ WBC world title at welterweight.

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Manny Pacquiao vs Chihiro Suzuki off after MMA champion breaks hand

The news of Manny Pacquiao’s opponent change was released at a press conference yesterday, with Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara explaining that it would take a number of weeks for the injury to heal. Super Rizin will still take place as planned on July 28, with this one slight alteration.

Manny Pacquiao given new opponent for boxing return as MMA champion pulls out of Super Rizin fight — Rizin/Twitter

“In a recent match, Chihiro Suzuki’s right hand, right second middle finger fractured the the middle fourth bone,” Sakakibara announced in Japanese during the press conference.

“Also, the fracture of the fifth middle fourth bone, index finger and pinky, these two places were fractured. A diagnosis of a total recovery time of four months was made.”

Rukiya Anpo steps in for Chihiro Suzuki to face Manny Pacquiao

K-1 super-lightweight world champion Anpo is a different type of opponent for Pacquiao, and brings considerably less MMA experience to the ring. He is just 0-1 in the cage, and holds a more impressive kickboxing record of 27-8-1 in the professional ranks.

“I’m really surprised and excited about this sudden big chance,” he told the media. “Suzuki did just say he apologised to the fans but considering he was injured in the Gomi fight I think the fans were looking forward to this fight.

“But nobody, I don’t think anyone, would blame Suzuki and I am carrying his feelings of regret. I think Pacquiao is really strong, but I seriously want to win. I’m determined to challenge him, so please support me.”