‘He looks 100’ – Manny Pacquiao ‘beaten up’ in exhibition against tallest-ever opponent as fans call for legend to cancel comeback quest
Manny Pacquiao struggled in an exhibition, and fans have pleaded for him to hang up his gloves for good.
Pacquiao took on Japanese fighter Rukiya Anpo, with a height difference of seven inches between the pair, as his rival stood at 6ft, his tallest rival ever.
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But it was an extremely tough watch, with the Filipino legend being beaten up for large portions of a back and forth encounter.
Despite countering well in spells, many fans' unofficial scorecard scored Anpo infront who towered over his rival and boxed from range.
The contest was scored an official draw by default, with no official judges present ringside.
Overall, fans were unimpressed with the 45-year-old veteran, and urged him not to make a full comeback before the end of 2024.
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One wrote: "Pacquiao looking 100 years old and getting destroyed by Anpo at RIZIN."
Another agreed: "Old Manny Pacquiao putting on a three-round banger at RIZIN - got absolutely worked over in this exhibition and should never fight again."
One suggested: "This is embarrassing... Rukiya Anpo dominated Manny Pacquiao. But this fight was a draw because it's a exhibition boxing match."
A user continued: "Pacquiao is getting knocked about, this kid has got a straight jab like an arrow and it lands everytime."
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Fans' final take, read: "Pacquiao seems like he lost his speed and Anpo was fast and brave."
The opening round saw Pacquiao take a bit of a beating, as he looked to counter but was struggling to close the distance.
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Anpo was landing some big shots, and Pacquiao found it tough to find the target as marking appeared above his eye.
He tried to unload some combinations in the second, but with no scorecards, he appeared to be behind.
Anpo unloaded in an all-action third round, as Pacquiao appeared to be on the back foot in a stunning turn of events against the kickboxing champion.
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Pacquiao was hit with some big shots in an even final round, but he responded with a huge uppercut which turned the tide for the final minute.
The former multi-weight world champion was set to make a full comeback before the end of 2025, as he looks to make history in the professional ranks.
Pacquiao is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. In his prime, he was many fan's pound-for-pound king, with Floyd Mayweather accused of avoiding him. In the space of 11 months between December 2008 and November 2009 he beat Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto.
He had a memorable encounters against Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez and did eventually face Mayweather, losing by unanimous decision in 2015.
Amazingly, he is in talks to challenge for the WBC welterweight title against current champion Mario Barrios and could become the sport's oldest current world champion, overtaking Carlos Adames who holds a middleweight title at 40.
But fans are now unsure that it can take place at all, with health concerns for the legend.
Any return will need to be before the end of the year, with the icon hoping to continue his presidential campaign in the Phillipines.
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