In an electrifying turn of events, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is gearing up for a sensational year, with two monumental fights that promise to captivate fans worldwide. The Filipino icon is slated to face Muay Thai maestro Buakaw Banchamek in a riveting exhibition bout on April 20, setting the stage for a potential rematch with fellow boxing great Floyd Mayweather later in the year.
Pacquiao, who last stepped into the ring over a year ago in a spirited exhibition against Korean martial artist DK Yoo, is making a triumphant return in what is being hailed as the “Match of the Legends.” Scheduled to take place at the IMPACT Arena in Bangkok, this catchweight boxing spectacle will unfold over six rounds of three minutes each, with two-minute breaks in between—a format certain to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
The stakes are high, with a purse of $289,000 and a specially commissioned WBC Legend Belt awaiting the victor. Buakaw, known by his ring name Buakaw Por Pramuk, boasts an impressive Muay Thai record of 241 wins, 24 losses, and 14 draws. Fresh from a bare-knuckle Muay Thai clash against Saenchai last November, Buakaw is primed to showcase his skills in a new arena.
The anticipation for this clash between two legends has been building, with posters teasing the exhibition circulating online since December 2023. However, the match’s realization was delayed, reportedly due to finalizing details related to the pay-per-view aspect.
In a surprising twist, Pacquiao has also teased a potential rematch with Floyd Mayweather during a recent appearance at an MMA event at the Saitama Super Arena on New Year’s Eve. When questioned about the rematch, Pacquiao expressed his readiness and excitement, hinting at a major bout to be held in Japan.
Addressing the audience, he said, “Next year, I hope to see you here in Japan with a big fight against… Floyd Mayweather.” After a momentary pause and a glance at Rizin chief executive Nobuyuki Sakakibara, Pacquiao dropped Mayweather’s name, sparking a wave of enthusiasm among fans.
Both Pacquiao and Mayweather have officially retired from professional boxing, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Pacquiao’s stellar career includes being the only eight-division world champion, with 62 wins, 32 knockouts, eight losses, and two draws. Mayweather, with a flawless 50-0 record, has also dabbled in exhibition bouts against the likes of Logan Paul, Don Moore, and Tenshin Nasukawa.
As the boxing world braces for these two colossal events, fans are left eagerly awaiting the resumption of Pacquiao’s remarkable journey—first against the formidable Buakaw and potentially culminating in a historic rematch with Mayweather. The year 2024 is shaping up to be an extraordinary chapter in the annals of boxing, as these legends step back into the limelight for what promises to be an unforgettable spectacle.