Manny Pacquiao to face RIZIN champion Chihiro Suzuki in boxing exhibition in July

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will return to action in Japan as he takes on RIZIN featherweight champion Chihiro Suzuki in a three-round boxing exhibition at Super RIZIN 3 in Saitama, Japan, on July 28.

The company announced the match-up during Sunday’s RIZIN 47 show in Tokyo. The “special standing bout rules” will be contested at 150 pounds and go for three three-minute rounds.

Pacquiao’s last official boxing match took place in Las Vegas in 2021, when he had a three-fight winning streak snapped in a decision defeat to Yordenis Ugas. The legendary boxer, who holds a pro record of 62-8-2 with 39 knockout wins, won a decision over DK Yoo in an exhibition match in South Korea in December 2022.

Suzuki, 13-3 with one no-contest in MMA, is undefeated in his past nine bouts under the RIZIN banner with eight victories. The sole no-contest was originally a submission loss to then-champion Kleber Koike that was automatically overturned due to the Brazilian’s weight miss.

Suzuki is slated to face Takanori Gomi in a boxing match in June 23, a little under a month before he returns to the ring to face Pacquiao.