Manny Pacquiao Eyes £3.9M Payday in Boxing Return if Opponent Breaks Rules

Manny Pacquiao is set for a lucrative £3.9 million payout in his boxing comeback this weekend in Tokyo, hosted by the Japanese MMA promotion Rizin. The Filipino boxing legend, 45, will square off against 28-year-old former K-1 Kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo in a match governed strictly by boxing rules.

Similar to Floyd Mayweather’s previous exhibitions with Rizin, where he triumphed by knockout against martial artists, this bout includes a hefty financial penalty clause. In 2018, Mayweather defeated kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 25, with a contract stipulating fines for any illegal strikes.

Rizin president Nobuyuki Sakakibara has confirmed that the same rule applies to Pacquiao and Anpo’s fight, stating, “Any violation will be punishable by a $5 million fine.” This penalty equates to approximately 750 million yen due to the weak yen, an increase from the 500 million yen fine during the Mayweather-Nasukawa fight.

Pacquiao, who retired in 2021 after losing to Yordenis Ugas, has since engaged in exhibition matches, hinting at a potential full comeback. He has been rumored to fight UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 36, and unbeaten British boxer Conor Benn, 27.

Recently, the WBC announced they would sanction Pacquiao’s return to compete against world champion Mario Barrios, 29. As talks progress, Pacquiao’s Far East exhibition serves as preparation for his possible welterweight title shot, adding excitement to his return to the ring.