Manny Pacquiao Inks Deal With Rizin, Details of Pact Unknown

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBA "regular" welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has signed a contract with Rizin, the Japanese mixed martial arts organization that put together Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition fight in Tokyo on New Year’s Eve.

Rizin's CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara announced the deal on Monday. Sakakibara posted photographs on Twitter of the 40-year-old Pacquiao signing a contract.

“I’m here in the Philippines,” wrote Sakakibara. “RIZIN.15 will have this man involved in a way. We will be ready to announce as I get back to Japan!”

He did not specify in what capacity Pacquiao would be involved in the event scheduled for April 21.

Given the short window of time, it would be very difficult to see a scenario where Pacquiao would be entering the ring.

Pacquiao also stated, in several interviews, that he wasn't a fan of exhibition fights where there wouldn't be an announced winner.