Manny Pacquiao’s opponent, Buakaw Banchamek, made a press release together with his newest combat ring stroll however promptly misplaced upon his return to the ring.
Banchamek confronted Bulgarian Stoyan Koprivlenski within the Ok-1 World MAX Championship Quarter-Finals following the postponement of his exhibition bout with Pacquiao. Banchemek misplaced over three rounds as Koprivlenski superior within the event staged on the Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo.
After making his technique to the ring in a blinding show lasting over two minutes, Banchamek did not hold momentum as he misplaced for the primary time in six years. The 42-year-old Thai legend had warmed up for Pacquiao in March with one more victory.
Nevertheless, this time round, Banchamek needed to take an eight rely within the second spherical on his technique to a twenty fifth loss in 284 contests. He’d beforehand gained the championship twice, in 2004 and 2006.
The referee warned Buakaw about utilizing his knee use within the third earlier than the European obtained the decision after three concluded periods.
That entrance. Took me again 20 years. Buakaw. 💥
See your entire PPV on @FiteTV pic.twitter.com/aIrUJVFth1— Michael Schiavello (@SchiavelloVoice) July 8, 2024
After his loss, Buakaw mentioned he’d concentrate on returning to RIZIN, the place he may ultimately face Manny Pacquiao.
“I wish to combat in Japan. Ok-1 will get larger sooner or later, however proper now, my essential promoter is the RIZIN Preventing Federation. I wish to thank everybody for not forgetting Buakaw.
“I’ll proceed to coach onerous in Thailand. I is perhaps an older and totally different Buakaw now, however I can nonetheless combat. I’ll combat anybody.”
Satirically, Pacquiao returns to RIZIN later this month after delaying his $25 million conflict with Buakaw. The boxing famous person fights a typical Buakaw foe in Rukiya Anpo. In Might 2023, Buakaw shared three rounds with Anpo, with judges scoring the combat a draw at RIZIN 42.
Pacquiao battles Anpo on July 28 at Tremendous RIZIN 3 earlier than a possible WBC welterweight title problem in opposition to Mario Barrios in a return to skilled boxing.
Because of Banchamek’s loss, it’s unsure whether or not organizers will reschedule the Pacquiao occasion till the previous returns to profitable methods. It might be one other yr earlier than Pacquiao vs. Baukaw will get rearranged — if ever.
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Be taught extra in regards to the writer, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Observe on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
