Manny Pacquiao, a celebrity, a politician, and above all, a boxer is a legend in the game. While he has retired from the sport, he has decided to partake in a scheduled exhibition fight two years after his last loss against Yordenis Ugás in a professional boxing match in August 2021. This has left fans surprised.
At the age of 45, Pacquiao is set to fight against Buakaw Banchamek, a very prominent Muay Thai fighter out of Thailand. His record speaks for itself. The most accounted for says he has gathered over 240 wins across his career. With both fighters being icons in their sports, it is a battle of legacies. But do Pacquiao fans agree with this matchup?
What are the conditions for the fight?
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The fight between these two legends out of Asia is set to happen in Thailand. The fight will be of six rounds of 3 minutes each. The surprise, however, is the fact that there are two-minute breaks between each round, which is absurdly long. Michael Benson took to X to share the details.
🥊 Announced: Manny Pacquiao, 45, will face Buakaw Banchamek, 41, in an exhibition fight on April 20th in Thailand. Banchamek is a famous Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer. The boxing exhibition will be six three-minute rounds with two-minute breaks.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) December 29, 2023
Pacquiao has a definitive advantage as, at the end of the day, he will be in his comfort zone. That is not to say that Banchamek will not put up a good fight for the audience. However, it is hardly a fair matchup. Many people took to the comment section to share their opinions about the fight. Let us find out what the fans had to say.
Fans question the controversial fight conditions
Fans showed a mixed bunch of reactions to the fight and its conditions. One fan exclaimed, “2 minute breaks is wild.”
2 minute breaks is wild
— Cal (@cal_approved) December 29, 2023
Another fan gave a controversial opinion saying, “Copying Floyd’s blueprints I see,” a remark about their similarity as Mayweather too has been fighting exhibitions for a while now.
Copying Floyd’s blueprint I see.
— Shmarc (@Shmarcc) December 29, 2023
One user commented, “Looks like he’s likely to fight McGregor next year then.” Talks have been in progress to make their fight a possibility as well.
Looks like he’s likely to fight McGregor next year then
— Brandon (@TheBomberJensen) December 29, 2023
One fan simply wished Pacquiao well, saying, “Good luck to Manny.”
Good luck to Manny 🥊
— Shaun (@ShaunLFC9) December 29, 2023
A fan also said, “Pac and Buakaw, two south east asian legends, hope they seriously want to hurt each other tho I’m leaning to Pac because it’s a boxing match not kick-boxing.” The fan wished both fighters well but predicted a win for Pacquiao.
Pac and Buakaw, two south east asian legends, hope they seriously want to hurt each other tho I'm leaning to Pac because its a boxing match not kick-boxing.
— ult (@ReeyesAlaan) December 29, 2023
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While a few fans are barely interested in the match-up, some wait to see if the years have rusted Pacquiao’s once-legendary skills.
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Pacquiao’s return to the ring will enthrall all fans regardless of its conditions. The chance to get to see his skills against another skilled foe is a fight worth watching. Do you think this exhibition fight will be an easy game for Manny Pacquiao?
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