Manny Pacquiao vs. Buakaw Banchamek: What to know about the legendary fight

19 July 2023

Buakaw Banchamek and Manny Pacquiao are set to lock horns.  

Vinij Lertratanachai, CEO of Fresh Air Festival Co Ltd, has revealed plans for a major sports event in 2024, titled 'The Match 3', which will feature a boxing bout between Buakaw Banchamek and Manny Pacquiao. The announcement was made by renowned Thai sports insider Bebangpakong (Worathep Makapokha) on his Facebook page. The press conference and official signing ceremony for the fight will take place on July 21 at 4:00 PM ICT.

Fresh Air Festival gained recognition for organizing the highly anticipated 'THE MATCH Bangkok Century Cup 2022', a football match between Manchester United and Liverpool, held in Thailand in July 2022. They further showcased their expertise in March 2023 with 'The Match 2', a six-red snooker tournament known as the '2023 Pathum Thani Six-Red World Championship'.

Buakaw Banchamek and Manny Pacquiao, both legendary figures in the combat sports world, are nearing the end of their careers but remain highly sought after for lucrative matchups. Buakaw returned in 2022 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, taking on Kota Miura in an exhibition kickboxing fight. He later made his bareknuckle boxing debut, securing a first-round knockout against Erkan Varol. Buakaw's recent endeavors included a draw against Rukiya Anpo, the former K-1 Super Lightweight champion, at RIZIN 42.

Before his clash with Pacquiao, Buakaw is scheduled to face his close friend and fellow Thai icon, Saenchai, in a bareknuckle Muay Thai match at BKFC Asia 5 on November 4. The fighters are expected to earn record-breaking purses, with a guaranteed 12 million baht ($350,000) and a 5 million baht ($150,000) win bonus for each fighter, according to Saenchai.

Manny Pacquiao, renowned for his participation in some of the highest-grossing fights in boxing history, including the monumental showdown with Floyd Mayweather in 2015, officially retired in 2021 after a defeat to Yordenis Ugás. However, he has since ventured into the realm of celebrity boxing, securing a victory against DK Yoo in a South Korean exhibition bout in December 2022.

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Pacquiao's next move involved signing a single-fight contract with RIZIN, with his debut in the promotion expected in 2023. Despite the agreement, Pacquiao has yet to compete in RIZIN and was recently ordered to pay $5.1 million in damages to Paradigm Sports in May 2023 due to a breach of contract.