Tag: MMA

Junna Tsukii retires from karate, makes move to MMA

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Filipino karate bet Junna Tsukii.

MANILA, Philippines — Junna Tsukii has kissed her karate career goodbye, embarking on a new journey to the world of mixed martial arts.

The Filipino-Japanese karateka on Wednesday announced that she is calling it quits in karate after a storied 26-year career.

“Thank you for your warm support. I have decided to graduate from an active karate player for 26 years and move on to MMA,” Tsukii wrote. “The stage will change, but I will try my best to make it exciting with all of you, so I would appreciate your continued warm support.”

The 32-year-old Tsukii made history winning the country’s first-ever gold medal in the 2022 World Games. She also won gold in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games but settled for silver last year marred with controversy.

READ: Junna Tsukii wins PH’s first gold in 2022 World Games

She fell in the round of 16 in the 19th Asian Games, yielding to Srey Phea Chonn of Cambodia,  3-2, in the women’s 51kg kumite event.

Tsukii recalled her journey in karate before taking on a new challenge in the MMA stage where she faces Ruka Sakamoto on August 31.

“’You better get married already.’ ‘You’ve worked hard. It’s time to settle down.’ I’ve heard these a lot since turning 30. But my body is much, much stronger than before,” Tsukii said. “I want to put what I learned so desperately while traveling around the world to better use in my life. I want to have more fun with everyone.”

“More than anything, I don’t think it’s right to give up on the challenges of my life just because of my age or what society thinks. Of course, there are many conflicts, but I believe there is a story that only I can write, so I will continue to forge ahead,” she added.

‘I’ll teach him more about boxing,’ Pacquiao vows in bout vs MMA champ

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Manny Pacquiao (right) is all set to face MMA champion Chihiro Suzuki. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

About a year and a half removed from his last match, Manny Pacquiao has been spending his time completing side quests.

The boxing icon has been caught on social media dabbling in endurance motorcycling, tennis, pool, and even trying out his luck in chess against an equally legendary sporting figure in Efren Reyes.

Pacquiao, now 45, is scheduled to complete another quest postretirement when he returns to an old stomping ground next month.

“I came here to fight this coming July 28 … I remember my first and last fight here in Japan—that was in ’98—and it [finished in the] first round. It’s my mission to come back and do it again,” he said in a live-streamed presser on Monday noon, promoting his specialized fight against Japanese-Peruvian mixed martial artist Chihiro Suzuki.

“Though [this] fight is only three rounds, I’ll do [my] best to make it faster than that,” the former senator added, referring to his first-round knockout of Shin Terao in Tokyo that lasted just under three minutes.

Pacquiao will be battling Suzuki, a two-sport champion, in a 150-pound boxing contest at Saitama Arena penciled to go for three, three-minute rounds.

The fight, which will be staged under the banner of Rizin Fighting Federation, will also be the first time in over a decade that Pacquiao figures outside his usual fighting weight.

And that shouldn’t be a problem, according to the former—and only—eight-division boxing champion.

“Sixty-eight kilograms is 149 pounds, so a little bit heavier than my weight, 147,” Pacquiao said shortly after doing math with his smartphone. “But it’s OK. I’ve been in 154 before with (Antonio) Margarito. I’m used to fighting at a bigger weight, so nothing to worry about.”

Kickboxing champ, too

Pacquiao scored a unanimous decision over Margarito for the World Boxing Council super welterweight championship in November 2010.

Suzuki is a champion in both mixed martial arts (MMA) and kickboxing disciplines and is eager to tap his expertise in those sports to conquer the legendary boxer.

“I know that a boxer’s punches won’t land on Pacquiao. But I’m an MMA fighter and I do believe that MMA strikes will land,” he said with the aid of a translator.

“In this fight, he may teach me what boxing is, but I’ll teach him what MMA is about,” he added.

Pacquiao responded in a way only Pacquiao could.

“Boxing is not easy to learn. Chihiro wants to experience [that]. I’m sure, on July 28, he’ll learn more about boxing,” he said with a smirk.

“I’ll teach him more about boxing.”

Pacquiao’s last fight was in an exhibition against YouTuber DK Yoo in South Korea. The former defeated the hometown bet with a 6-round unanimous decision. INQ

Pacquiao wants KO win vs Japanese MMA fighter Chihiro Suzuki

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Former Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, left, and Japanese mixed martial arts fighter Chihiro Suzuki pose during a press conference Monday, June 10, 2024, in Tokyo. They are scheduled to fight in a three-round match in July. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

TOKYO — Manny Pacquiao said Monday that a title fight against Mario Barrios is in the works, with details still being negotiated.

Pacquiao, a former world champion who retired in 2021, spoke in Japan on Monday to promote a three-round boxing exhibition on July 28 against Japanese MMA fighter Chihiro Suzuki.

“We’re still in under negotiation,” the 45-year-old Pacquiao said of the possible Barrios fight for the WBC welterweight title. “And, we’re talking about that. The fight is not materialized yet. But that negotiation is ongoing.”

READ: Pacquiao set for July exhibition, in talks for title bout vs Barrios

He hinted any eventual fight would be in November or December. But he said his mind was on Suzuki.

“I just want to say to everybody. This is not an exhibition. This is a fight, a three-round fight,” Pacquiao said. “We will be looking for a knockout for this fight. So you better watch, and it’s going to be a lot of action in the ring. And, of course, I’ll do my best to win by knockout. Thank you.”

Pacquiao lost in the run for the presidency of the Philippines in 2022.

READ: Manny Pacquiao ‘ready to go’ for comeback fight–possibly in Saudi

His career boxing record is 62 wins (39 KOs), 8 losses and 2 draws.

Suzuki knows he is up against a legend.

“In a way this is a challenge for me,” he said. “It’s a real honor to be able to fight against someone who has made history, so I will face him with respect. For me, it’s one of the biggest challenges of my life and a test that I have to overcome.”