(UPDATE) FILIPINO boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is set for a boxing exhibition return against Japanese kickboxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) champion Chihiro Suzuki in the Super Rizin 3 fight card at the Super Saitama Arena on July 28, 2024.

Pacquiao himself announced the fight on Sunday in the Rizin 47 MMA fight card held at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Shibuya, Japan.

The bout will only have three rounds, with three minutes each per round.

"Next month, I'm going to fight here in Japan, and I hope that everybody will watch the fight. Thank you, everyone, and thank you to Rizin," said the only eight-division world champion.

"To all the fans, please come and watch this July 28 fight; it's going to be a good fight and a lot of boxing," added the former senator.

This exhibition bout thus debunked previous reports that Pacquiao would battle undefeated Floyd Mayweather in a rematch.

The 45-year-old Pacquiao last fought professionally in August 2021 when he lost to Yordenis Ugas via unanimous decision.

He returned to the ring in an exhibition format against South Korean DK Yoo in December 2022, defeating the latter in their six-round bout via unanimous decision.

Pacquiao was supposed to fight Muay Thai champion Buakaw Banchamek in a six-round match in April, but it was canceled.

Pacquiao sports a 62-8-2 win-loss-draw record, while the 25-year-old Suzuki carries a 13-3 win-loss card.

Suzuki is coming off a ground and pound win against Masanori Kanehara last April and will have one more fight before facing Pacquiao.

Suzuki battles Takanori Gomi on June 23 in a boxing match.

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