More than a year after outlasting DK Yoo in his first exhibition fight since 2002, Manny Pacquiao will officially return to the ring against Muay Thai and kickboxing icon Buakaw Banchamek on April 20 in Bangkok.
According to the organizers, the “Match of Legends” will consist of “six three-minute rounds with two-minute breaks.” No word yet on streaming rights, but I’m guessing we’ll have some sort of PPV.
Buakaw, 41, better known by his former ring name, Buakaw Por Pramuk, is among the greatest and most internationally recognized Nak Muay to ever compete. His 24-year career has seen him rack up over 240 victories in both Muay Thai and kickboxing rules, including a legendary stint as the K-1 MAX terror during the 2000s.
He last saw action in November, defeating fellow elder Saenchai in a bare-knuckle Muay Thai match where neither man seemed truly intent on hurting the other. That could change here, as the press release specifically states that the winner will receive a hair price under $300,000.
As far as exhibition fights go, he’s a hell of a lot better than random influencers or mediocre MMA fighters. It still doesn’t look particularly convincing, but it definitely could have been worse.
