Manny Pacquiao FINALLY returns to action and his opponent is not Conor McGregor, despite the Irishman’s insulting callouts

Manny Pacquaio is set to return to the ring in 2024.

Manny Pacquiao FINALLY returns to action and his opponent is not Conor McGregor, despite the Irishman’s insulting callouts

Conor McGregor's statement showing interest in fighting Manny Pacquiao (credit- marca.com, forbes)

Manny Pacquiao has always been a fan favorite. His persona and charm are loved by many in and beyond the boxing ring. Boxing fans, you can now buckle up as Manny shall be returning to the ring in April. However, combat sports fans have a deep thirst for drama and trash-talk and who is better at that part of the showmanship than the notorious Conor McGregor?

In an official statement released by Happy Punch’s X page, the news has been broken out that Pacman will be fighting world-renowned Muay Thai fighter Buakaw Banchamek on April 20th. This fight may seem to be a little offputting to fans considering that many wanted a clash between McGregor and Manny.

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However, taking into account Pacquiao’s age, this fight seems to be the right decision. Additionally, the skeptic Pacman fans need not worry, as this fight shall only be an exhibition scheduled for six three-minute rounds so no professional records will be tarnished.

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No fighter can beat Father Time, and that includes even the greats like Manny. The Pacman is currently 46 years old and it is an obvious fact that he is no longer in his glory days. But that being said, Manny’s dedication and passion for the sport are commendable as he is taking up the challenge to fight a Muay Thai legend in the ring.

Buakaw is a complete wildcard in the sport of boxing. His style is unpredictable and as his bread and butter is Muay Thai, fans can expect a different version of his fighting skills.

Conor McGregor was also in the mix of being Manny Pacquiao’s opponent. Trash talk and insults are what The Notorious is best at hence this led many fans to believe that there could be a potential fight between the superstars.

Conor McGregor calls out Manny to share the ring with him in a super-fight

Combat sports fans, however, anticipated a mega-fight between Manny and McGregor as the latter continuously hinted at an interest in fighting the boxing star. In the recent fight between Anthony Joshua and Otto Wallin, Conor was one of the celebrity spectators. He mocked Manny by saying:

I love Manny, tell Manny to grow a set of b*lls,.Tell Manny to grow a set of balls and fight me at a higher weight. Why not?
Conor McGregor via iFL TV
Conor McGregor's statement of growing a pair of balls to Paquiao
Conor calls out Manny to fight in a higher weight category (credit- UFC, Britannica)

Although this fight may rake in millions of dollars, it seems unfair to many boxing experts. As mentioned previously, Manny is 46 years old and this makes him past his prime. The Pacman is a shadow of his former self, which was evident in his loss against Ugas. This age factor will again put him at a disadvantage against Conor McGregor who is almost a decade younger than him.

The boxing world always tends to surprise the fans. Although there is a high probability that the dream set up of Manny and McGregor will never come to fruition, fans still hold their breath to see the impossible happen. The result of Manny’s fight in April and the return of McGregor to the UFC are the key factors in determining whether the fans would get what they want.

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