The monumental worldwide clash involving two iconic fighters, Manny Pacquiao and Buakaw Banchamek, is set to occur in the first quarter of the coming year.
“The Match of Legends: Manny Pacquiao vs Buakaw Banchamek” is being organized by Fresh Air Festival Co Ltd in collaboration with cinema operator SF Corporation Plc.
An unmatched exhibition of combative courage is to be expected, according to Fresh Air Festival’s CEO Vinij Lertratanachai at a recent Friday press briefing.
“We are honoured to have Manny ‘PacMan’ Pacquiao and Buakaw Banchamek for this historic event,” he expressed. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you won’t want to miss.”
Arranging a match between these two legendary figures was challenging, Vinij acknowledged.
He asserted that the showdown will continue to be a topic of conversation long after its conclusion.
The boxing icons will compete under international boxing regulations, enduring six three-minute rounds with two-minute breaks in between.
The victorious contender will walk away with a legendary boxer’s belt and a minimum cash reward of 10 million baht.
While Vinij didn’t provide a specific date for the match, he revealed that it will be held in the first quarter of the next year. The event’s total cost is expected to reach around 875 million baht (US$25 million).
He didn’t specify the location or the timing for the match, stating that the ideal time zone needs to be determined so that boxing enthusiasts worldwide can tune in live.
Pacquiao expressed his gratitude towards the organizers for extending an invite for this once in a lifetime match against Buakaw, and expressed his eagerness to step into the ring.
On the subject of the difference between international boxing and Muay Thai, Pacquiao recalled his experience training for Muay Thai in Thailand back in 2005, noting the challenge of using not just his fists, but also his elbows and knees.
“I will do my best and give good action for fans to make them happy and enjoy the show,” he declared, while stating that squaring off against a renowned Muay Thai boxer like Buakaw would be an honour.
Buakaw admitted that a match against Pacquiao had been a dream of his prior to his retirement from boxing, and he didn’t believe it would become a reality until his conversation with Vinij.
Buakaw committed to restraining from using Muay Thai techniques against Pacquiao.
He pledged to allocate his cash prize towards establishing a college to mentor young boxing hopefuls in Thailand, in the event of his victory.
Buakaw didn’t rule out a knockout potentially occurring as early as the first round.
The Fresh Air Festival has previously organized “The Match Bangkok Century Cup 2022,” where globally renowned football clubs, Liverpool and Manchester United, competed.
Pacquiao, a national hero in his native Philippines and also a former senator, is famous for his tenacity and is the lone professional boxer with eight weight division championships under his belt.
This legendary champion serves as an inspiration to both athletes and enthusiasts worldwide.
Buakaw, a figurehead of Muay Thai, is celebrated for his explosive kickboxing that combines sheer force with flawless technique, leaving audiences astounded.
He is celebrated as one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters in history and is a cherished asset of Thailand.
