A date has been set down for the exhibition fight between Manny Pacquiao and Buakaw Banchamek.
According to the Banchamek Gym Facebook page, the date of April 20 has been finalized. The event is being organized by Thailand’s Fresh Air Festival Co Ltd and cinema operator SF Corporation.
The bout will be fought under traditional boxing rules.
The 41-year-old Buakaw, a Muay Thai legend, will be at a disadvantage against an eight-division world champion like Pacquiao, who is 45-years-old.
There will be six three-minute rounds with two-minute breaks.
Back in July, Fresh Air Festival CEO Vinij Lertratanachai revealed that a deal was struck for this fight.
“We are honoured to have Manny ‘PacMan’ Pacquiao and Buakaw Banchamek for this historic event,” he said. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you won’t want to miss.”
Pacquiao retired from the sport back in 2021, when he suffered a twelve round unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas. The Filipino star had the option of exercising an immediate rematch clause, but decided it was best to walk away from the sport.
He took part in his first exhibition match in 2022 at the KINTEX arena in Goyang, which is near Seoul, Korea.
Pacquiao basically toyed around with South Korean YouTuber DK Yoo to raise money for Ukraine in their ongoing conflict with Russia, and also to provide funds for homeless Filipinos.