Pacquiao, Buakaw Promote Exhibition Match for Early 2024

By Carlos Costa

Fighting legends Manny Pacquiao and Buakaw met for the first time on stage at the Icon Siam Park in downtown Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand to promote their exhibition match set for the first quarter of 2024.

Pacquiao, 44, a boxing champion in eight different weight-classes and Buakaw, 41, a retired Muay Thai star have agreed to trade blows in a 6-round boxing match at a catch-weight of 70 kilos (about 154 pounds), in clash billed by the show promoter Vinij Lertratanachai as “The Match of Legend.”

The six rounds will have 3 minutes each with a rest time of two minutes, instead of one minute as it is in a real fight.

Since the clash will be a boxing match, Buakaw will only be allowed to use his fists for attack, a new modality for him as the Thai star has been a combatant in Muay Thai, the ancient martial art in which strikes with elbows, knees and kicks are perfectly normal and permitted.

During the press conference, Pacquiao expressed his excitement to be back in Thailand, the Kingdom where he captured his first world title.

“I’m happy to be back here. My last fight here was in 1998,” said the smiling Pacquiao, a super star and a popular icon wherever he goes.

The “Pacman” added that he will go on to get in shape for the exhibition, sharing his belief that his “opponent” Buakaw might have trouble adjusting to boxing, a sport he has never practiced.

“I need to prepare, knowing I will need at least 90% to deal with Buakaw,” thinks the 44-year-old veteran, living in General Santos City in Southern Philippines.

“Muay Thai I like. But I think it must be difficult using all those elbows and kicks and knees. Probably Muay Thai is harder than boxing.”

But Is it just an exhibition, or what is it, fans wonder.

The fight is “real” said Pacquiao, adding that fans will be advised by the promoter about the exact date, venue, ticket prices and info on the PPV.

It was not disclosed exactly how much will be the purse for the Pacman and for Buakaw, although the promoter assured the audience that the total investment for the show is about $ 25 million dollars.

Present during the open air press conference where the president of MP Promotions Sean Gibbons of Las Vegas, as well as Pacquiao’s beautiful wife, Jinky.

The Filipino global icon will stay in Thailand for two more days, planning to return to his home in the Philippines on Sunday.

The author boxing reporter Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152.