Pacquiao, Buakaw Promote Exhibition Match for Early 2024
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 22 Jul 2023
Bangkok -- Fighting legends Manny Pacquiao and Buakaw met for the first time on stage at the Icon Siam Park in downtown Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand, Friday, July 21, 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 Legends."
The 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 form 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 were 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.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Weights from Philadelphia
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 17 Jan 2026MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
Sat, 17 Jan 2026NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
Fri, 16 Jan 2026SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 16 Jan 2026Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 15 Jan 2026Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Weights from Trenton, NJ
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
Wed, 14 Jan 2026“No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Wed, 14 Jan 2026