Manny Pacquiao smiles during his open workout at Kod Lab Gym in Shinjuku City in Tokyo, Japan.–MP Promotions/Wendell Alinea

 

TOKYO–Manny Pacquiao had a lot of monikers throughout his professional boxing career, which spanned 26 years.

Before being bestowed as the PacMan, Pacquiao had been called “Destroyer” early in his career as he beat one opponent after another in devastating fashion. Pacquiao was then dubbed “Mexicutioner” due to his dominance over Mexican fighters although that label did not appeal to him.

Days before his exhibition boxing match headlining Super RIZIN 3 at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, Pacquiao may have added another to the list—something more apt as an elder statesman in the sport at 45 years old.

“Boxing is like science for me… I’m not boasting myself, but in terms of boxing I’m like a professor,” said Pacquiao in an interview with RIZIN.

In a bout pitting a legend against a rookie, a class could certainly be in session for Pacquiao as he looks to take Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo to school.

Pacquiao, who is 17 years older than his opponent, may not be as strong and fast as he once was during his heyday that saw him claim titles in eight different divisions, but he believes his mind is as sharp as ever if not better as he aged.

“I’ve been in boxing 80 percent of my life in this world. I can still compete like before,” said Pacquiao, who held an open workout Thursday night at Kod Lab Gym in Shinjuku City here.

“They think boxing is more on physical but 60 percent of boxing is mental. You need the proper execution of all your strategies. I study boxing while I do boxing. That’s the reason why I was able to capture all those titles in different divisions.”