Photo credit: Wendell Alinea | MP Promotions
The highly anticipated exhibition fight between legendary Filipino boxer 45-year-old Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) and former K-1 super lightweight champion Rukiya Anpo (27-8-1, kickboxing record) of Japan took place at 11-bout fight card Super Rizin 3 with no official judges and no winner declared. Despite this, the bout provided the 40,000+ fans with an entertaining and action-packed three rounds at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
“I hope this is not the last,” Pacquiao said after their exhibition fight.
“Anpo is strong and fights well even though he does not have a lot of boxing experience. He did his best to give a good fight.” Pacquiao added.
RESULT: The Manny Pacquiao vs. Rukiya Anpo fight is an exhibition; therefore, no rounds are officially judged, no winner is officially announced, and it is declared a draw. [REPLAY VIDEO]
Fight Card Results:
Ren Hiramoto def. Mikuru Asakura, via TKO1
Manny Pacquiao vs. Rukiya Anpo (no judges, DRAW)
Yuta Kubo def. Yutaka Saito, via TKO2
Hiromasa Ougikubo def. Makoto Shinryu, via UD
Hideyo Tokoro def. Hiroya, via KO1
Ryusei Ashizawa def. Kouzi, via UD
Manny Pacquiao vs. Rukiya Anpo Round-by-Round Updates:
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. ([via])
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. ([via])
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. ([via])
RESULT: Pacquiao and Anpo fought for three rounds, with no judges, and the match was declared a draw.