Manny Pacquiao will not be returning professionally to the ring or facing Conor McGregor anytime soon.
Instead, a date has been set for an exhibition with Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek. Buakaw says the Thai superstar will face Pacquiao at the IMPACT Arena, Exhibition and Convention Center in Muang Thong Thani. The clash will occur in spring.
Pacquiao vs Buakaw date set
“It’s coming. April 20, 2024,” Buakaw confirmed.
The confirmation came long ago after the couple hosted a press conference last summer.
“We are honored to have Manny ‘PacMan’ Pacquiao and Buakaw Banchamek for this historic event. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you don’t want to miss,” Fresh Air Festival CEO and fight host Vinij Lertratanachai said in the official announcement.
Pacquiao’s plans mean a professional comeback, proposed by Bob Arum, and fights with McGregor or even Amir Khan will not happen in the first half of the New Year.
Sitting ringside during Judgment Day week, McGregor called on Pacquiao to make a decision soon.
Conor McGregor
“Take me back there,” McGregor told talkSPORT. “The Mac has a lot to offer and a lot to offer. They’re talking to Manny here in Saudi Arabia.
“The UFC guys don’t talk at all. So, the guys here are talking about Manny. The UFC doesn’t talk about anything.
“Give me something. I’m supposed to be back in April. It was supposed to be December!”
And he added: “For all the figures I have brought to this game, I sell more than all of them combined. No one in the history of the fighting game has been treated like I have been treated right now.
“From what I went through to what I bring, the floodgates should open for me.
“I’m waiting! And my patience is wearing thin as I wait.”
Asian super fight
Pacquiao vs Buakaw is a massive event in itself on Asian shores. Fans of both codes wait with bated breath until they exchange blows.
Buakaw concluded his Muay Thai career a few weeks ago. Buakaw defeated Nayanesh Ayman in a rematch on Saturday at the Rajadamnern World Series event in Bangkok.
They fought at the Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium in front of an adoring crowd. Before that, he defeated his rival Saenchai at the Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall in Pattaya, Thailand, at BKFC Thailand 5.
Staying busy while Pacquiao’s career is stalled could be an eye-opener when the first bell rings next April.
Phil Jay is an experienced boxing news writer and has been the editor of World Boxing News since 2010.
Follow WBN: Facebook, Insta, Threads.
