Tag: muay thai

Manny Pacquaio to fight Muay Thai Legend Buakaw in ‘The Match of Legends’ on April 20

Manny Pacquiao vs. BuakawWe now have a date for the previously announced crossover clash between Manny Pacquiao and Buakaw Banchamek. Emanating from…

Manny Pacquiao vs. Buakaw

We now have a date for the previously announced crossover clash between Manny Pacquiao and Buakaw Banchamek.

Emanating from Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, the eight-time boxing world champion will square off with the Muay Thai icon on April 20, 2024. Billed as ‘The Match of Legends,’ the bout will be contested under international boxing rules, in a “six three-minute rounds with two-minute breaks” format. The fighters will compete at 154 lbs, or 70kg, the equivalent of super welterweight in boxing, or junior middleweight in Muay Thai.

The winner will walk away with a cash prize of 10 million baht which translates to $289,000 and a WBC Legends Belt.

We are honored to have Manny ‘PacMan’ Pacquiao and Buakaw Banchamek for this historic event, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you won’t want to miss,” Fresh Air Festival CEO Vinij Lertratanachai said in a statement.

Manny Pacquaio last competed in August 2021, suffering a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugás. Over his 26-year career, ‘PacMan’ is the only boxer to win 12 world championships across eight different divisions. He is also the first fighter to win the lineal championship in five different weight classes.

With nearly 300 fights to his credit, Buakaw Banchamek is widely considered to be one of the greatest Muay Thai practitioners in the history of the sport. He is a two-time K-1 World Max Champion and has captured titles under the WMC and WBC banner. In November, he earned a decision victory over Saenchai at BKFC Asia 5. A month later, Buakaw added another win to his resume, besting Nayanesh Ayman at Rajadamnern Stadium.

Buakaw Scores Decisive Win Over Nayanesh Ayman in Rajadamnern World Series Main Event (Highlights)

Buakaw BanchamekA few short weeks after defeating Saenchai under the BKFC banner, Buakaw Banchamek returned to the ring for a…

Buakaw Banchamek

A few short weeks after defeating Saenchai under the BKFC banner, Buakaw Banchamek returned to the ring for a rematch with Nayanesh Ayman in the headlining bout at the RWS Legend Of Rajadamnern event, at the iconic Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok.

Buakaw scored a quick finish in their first meeting at Kunlun Fight 69 in 2018 with a slick left hook just past the two-minute mark of the opening round. This time, Ayman was able to go the distance against, though he didn’t offer up much opposition throughout the three-round affair.

Buakaw put Ayman on the canvas in the opening round and overwhelmed the Congo-born fighter with constant pressure, but he was unable to finish the fight as Ayman kept himself out of danger by constantly tying up the Thai icon. Buakaw was understandably frustrated by his opponent’s strategy, but in the end, he still walked away with the victory via a unanimous decision.

Buakaw leaves the door open for a return to Rajadamnern Stadium

The bout was advertised as Buakaw’s last kickboxing match in The Land of Smiles. Asked if that is still the case during an interview with Antoine Pinto, the former WMC and WBC Muay Thai world champion didn’t seem so certain.

“In fact, as I have said before: This time is the last time… maybe I will come back and fight in kickboxing at Rajadamnern Stadium again,” he said. “It depends on RWS, if we will talk about a plan or agreement in the future… I think this time I will change my preparation to fight in a different style”.

Next up for Buakaw is a boxing match against legendary pugilist Manny Pacquiao in the first quarter of 2024. Details regarding the contest are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Muay Thai Legend Buakaw wants to welcome UFC star conor McGregor to BKFC: ‘I’m ready to go to war’

BuakawAfter scoring an impressive victory over fellow Thai legend Saenchai, former two-time K-1 World MAX champion Buakaw Banchamek would…

Buakaw

After scoring an impressive victory over fellow Thai legend Saenchai, former two-time K-1 World MAX champion Buakaw Banchamek would love the chance to welcome Irish megastar Conor McGregor to the BKFC squared circle.

Emanating from the sold-out Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall in Pattaya, Buakaw made his second appearance under the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship banner for a long-awaited showdown with Saenchai, a Muay Thai icon with more than 350 career fights to his credit. After three rounds of intense action, it was Buakaw who had his hand raised, scoring a unanimous decision in the first-of-its-kind special rules bare-knuckle bout at BKFC Thailand 5.

Despite walking away victorious, Buakaw had some admittedly mixed feelings after going toe-to-toe with a man he considers to be his friend.

“I really appreciated the opportunity to fight such a high-level opponent, but at the same time he’s my friend,” Buakaw told the promotion. “We both fought hard and put our friendship aside for the fight because we’re professionals, but after the fight I was glad it was over. It has been a great journey working with BKFC on this event and I’m really pleased they were able to make it happen.”

Buakaw Reveals his Dream Fight in BKFC

With 240 career victories and a lifetime’s worth of world titles, Buakaw has little left to prove in the art of eight limbs, but that won’t stop him from accepting the challenge of any man willing to step inside the squared circle with him, gloves or no gloves.

As for who he would love to fight if allowed to choose, ‘The White Lotus’ revealed that the name at the top of his list just so happens to be the biggest star in mixed martial arts history, Conor McGregor.

“I’ve told BKFC I’d fight absolutely anyone under this new rule set, but it has to be a big name. I’m ready to go to war with anyone. I want someone to really test me,” he said.

My ultimate fight would be against Conor McGregor in a bare-knuckle Thai fight, but I wonder if McGregor would even take a fight like that against me. I doubt it.”

Buakaw scores Victory over Saenchai in battle of Muay Thai legends at BKFC Thailand 5

BuakawOn Saturday, Muay Thai legends Buakaw Banchamek and Saenchai stepped intoside the squared circle under the Bare Knuckle Fighting…

Buakaw

On Saturday, Muay Thai legends Buakaw Banchamek and Saenchai stepped intoside the squared circle under the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship banner for one of the biggest fights in the history of the art of eight limbs.

Headlining BKFC Thailand 5 inside the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall in The Land of Smiles, the two Thai icons with more than 500 fights between them finally faced off in a special rules bare-knuckle Muay Thai bout. Buakaw, also known as ‘The White Lotus’, is a two time K-1 world champion and multiple time Lumpinee Stadium champion. Earlier this year, he scored his first victory inside the BKFC ring, finishing Erkan Varol via knockout in the opening round of their BKFC Thailand 3 scrap.

Saenchai, who boasts an incredible 327-49-2 record, made his promotional debut at Saturday’s event, having also been a multi-time Lumpinee Stadium champion. Saenchai, who is two years older than his opponent, is also a former WBC Muay Thai champion and has an undefeated record of 5-0 in conventional boxing.

The contest delivered on the hype with both fighters going toe-to-toe for five full rounds that ultimately ended with Buakaw emerging as the winner in a fairly decisive fashion.

Official Result: Buakaw Banchamek def. Saenchai via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-46 & 48-47).

The loss is the first of Saenchai’s career since 2014, snapping a 70+ fight win streak.

Check Out Highlights From Buakaw vs. Saenchai at BKFC Thailand 5 Below:

Exclusive: BKFC President David Feldman Previews Massive Muay Thai Clash Between Buakaw and Saenchai

BKFCBKFC President David Feldman can’t wait to deliver one of the most anticipated Muay Thai fights in the history…

BKFC

BKFC President David Feldman can’t wait to deliver one of the most anticipated Muay Thai fights in the history of the sport on November 4.

Emanating from Pattaya, two legends in the art of eight limbs, Buakaw Banchamek and Saenchai will step inside the squared circle for a special rules Muay Thai matchup at BKFC Thailand 5. It’s a contest fight fans never thought they would live to see, but Feldman, the founder of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, prides himself on delivering the fights that nobody else can.

“I think what I try to specialize in is doing things that everybody says you can’t do and doing things that people don’t do and everybody said that Saenchai and Buakaw would never fight,” Feldman said in a LowKick MMA exclusive interview. “I’m like, ‘Oh yeah? Watch.’ We were able to do this and like I said in my last interview, the reason we’re doing it as a special Muay Thai rules is because I think it’s not doing the fans, the fighters, or anyone justice if we limit those guys to only their knuckles.

“Let’s let them do the elbows, the knees, and the kicks. No throwdown. No real clinch. It’s gotta be action and I think it could be something where we change the Muay Thai world a little bit and take the boring part of the Muay Thai out of it and make it complete excitement. Long story short, I’m super excited about that. I think it’s going to be a very widely viewed event and I can’t wait for it.”

How Did the BKFC Manage to Book Buakaw vs. Saenchai?

Asked how they managed to bring the two Thai icons together, Feldman indicated that it ultimately came down to the almighty dollar, but he also believes that Buakaw and Saenchai are eager to deliver to fans one of the most debated fantasy matchups in Muay Thai history and finally answer the question of who would win.

“This is a chance for them to really prove themselves,” Feldman added. “They always wanted to do this, but nobody could make it work. We paid them good. We paid them something they haven’t been paid before and I think they’re just excited to prove themselves because everybody says Buakaw would beat Saenchai, or Saenchai would be Buakaw, and guess what? On November 4, we’re gonna find out.”

Buakaw enters the contest as one of the most celebrated athletes in the history of the sport, carrying 240 career wins and a plethora of world titles. Buakaw is a former multi-time WMC Muay Thai champion, a former WBC Muay Thai champion, and a two-time K-1 World MAX Champion.

His opponent, Saenchai, has been competing for more than 35 years and has amassed an incredible 327 career wins. During the course of his three-and-a-half-decade run, Saenchai has claimed titles under the WPMF, WBC, WMC, and PABA banners. He is also a six-time Lumpinee Stadium champion.

BKFC Thailand 5 will air live from the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall on Saturday, November 4 at 9:00 a.m. ET, 6 a.m. PT via the BKFC app.

Exclusive: John Fury marvels at the brutality of Thailand’s Muay Thai scene: ‘The whole place is built on violence’

FuryGearing up for his showdown with Francis Ngannou on October 28, Tyson Fury headed to Phuket, Thailand alongside his father and coach John Fury. The reigning WBC heavyweight champion is slated for a scrap with the former UFC titleholder in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. Ahead of their massive crossover contest, ‘The Gypsy King’ […]

Fury

Gearing up for his showdown with Francis Ngannou on October 28, Tyson Fury headed to Phuket, Thailand alongside his father and coach John Fury.

The reigning WBC heavyweight champion is slated for a scrap with the former UFC titleholder in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. Ahead of their massive crossover contest, ‘The Gypsy King’ took a trip to The Land of Smiles over the summer. While there, Fury was seen partying and taking in a few fight cards at Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium.

Speaking about his experience traveling to Thailand with the heavyweight champ, John Fury appears to have fallen in love with the country known for its sweltering weather and brutal Muay Thai events.

“All the men are warriors over there. All the women are warriors, never mind the men,” John Fury an ambassador for Free Bets said in a LowKick MMA exclusive interview. “They all love fighting, don’t they? The whole place is built on violence, isn’t it? They’re lovely people to speak to. We enjoyed it there. It was fabulous. We got received very well, but you can see the only thing that the people have got on their mind is fighting and gambling. Gambling and fighting, what a combination!”.

“I enjoyed Thailand. It was an eye-opener for me. The weather was very hot over there. It’s a totally different way of life than the one we live here. They’re a lot tougher race. I went to a few of the Thai boxing events and my god, it was brutal. Big guys made of titanium just getting the p*ss and sh*t knocked out of each other. It was an unbelievable experience for me to watch it. To be honest with you, I felt like a p*ssy out there”.

Both of John Fury’s Boys Will Be in Action This Month

John Fury will be a very busy man this month as both of his sons will be in action. First, undefeated standout Tommy Fury will return to the squared circle for a matchup with social media star KSI as part of Misfits Boxing’s ‘The PRIME Card’ on October 14 in Manchester. Two weeks later, ‘The Gypsy King’ will meet Francis Ngannou in a heavyweight showdown in the Middle East before reportedly returning to the country two months later for a long-awaited title unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk.

Watch the full interview below and on LowKick MMA’s official YouTube channel.