muay thai legend, Buakor Banchamekdespite inching closer to 300 fights in his incredible career (242 wins, 24 losses, 14 draws, two no contests across Muay Thai and kickboxing), shows no signs of slowing down.
To the surprise of many, it was announced last week that Buakao would make a sudden return during the game. Minoru Kimura It will be held this weekend (Saturday, March 23, 2024) at RIZIN Landmark 9 in Kobe. The kickboxing match will be the Thai icon's second appearance in the RIZIN ring.
For the 41-year-old Buakao, the door of opportunity appeared to have opened with rumors that his next boxing bout would take place in a summer exhibition. Manny Pacquiao It had been canceled. Reports had suggested that the organizers of the Match of Legends event had pulled out, but Buakao said things were only being delayed.
“My understanding is that the fight has been postponed. It has not been canceled,” Buakao told MMA Mania on BROADENED HORIZIN. “As far as the contract goes, the fight is still going on. I just don't know when that will be. So my understanding is that the fight is not over. It's been postponed.”
Before this phenomenal sensation gets his hands on Pacquiao, he'll be looking to break through the Brazilian Kimura. This will be the 30-year-old kickboxer's second appearance in a RIZIN kickboxing match. Unfortunately for Kimura, he tested positive for a banned substance during his debut match in June 2023. He originally lost by first round KO. Darryl Rokok At RIZIN 43, the result was overturned to a no contest.
The test failure became a widespread story and surprise regarding Buakao's match booking. Clearly, Buakao didn't care about what was going on these days, as he went into the fight anyway.
“I think the use of PEDs is definitely one of Kimura's characteristics, just from his fighting style. Obviously, I think that's one of his strengths,” Buakor said. “For me, I'm proud to say that I've never used drugs of any kind in my life or career. I'm very proud to say that and to prove it. I'm proud to be a professional and I'm here to show him what a professional does and how a professional fights.
“This fight will take place at 74 kilograms (163 pounds), which is much heavier than my normal weight class, but I will accept the fight if offered,” he continued. “I don't question it and I'm going to fight because that's what a professional does. So, hopefully, by me showing professionalism, he has another path to becoming a professional fighter. I hope I can teach you something.”
Watch the entire episode with the embedded video or listen on Spotify.
