Manny Pacquiao announced to face Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek in 2024

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is set for another return to the ring as he was announced to be facing off against Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek in a boxing event dubbed “The Match of Legends” in 2024.

The match, according to organizers, will be fought under “international boxing rules”.

The last official bout of the 44-year-old Pacquiao was a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas in a world title fight back in August 2021, after which he retired from the sport. Pacquiao, boxing's only eight-division world champion, is 62-8-2 in his career and is widely considered one of the best of all-time.

He has since returned to the ring for an exhibition bout against South Korean martial artist DK Yoo in December of 2022.

He was also announced to have agreed to a fight in Japanese mixed martial arts promotion Rizin Fighting Federation earlier this year.

Buakaw, meanwhile, is himself a legendary Thai athlete with championships in both Muay Thai and kickboxing, including in the K-1 World MAX competition. The 41-year-old has a record of 240-24-14 with 73 knockouts in the two sports. He also competed in a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) bout.

Vinij Lertratanachai, the CEO of Fresh Air Festival Co., Ltd, the organizers of the match, said: “We are privileged to have Manny 'Pac Man' Pacquiao and Buakaw Banchamek for this momentous event. It is an opportunity of a lifetime that you won't want to miss."

—JMB, GMA Integrated News