Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and his boxer son Manny Pacquiao Jr. could make history and fight on the same bill in December.
World Boxing News understands Pacquiao Jr. is a solid option to appear alongside his father.
Pacquiao recently agreed to face Korean Combat YouTuber DK Yoo in an exhibition. The fight takes place on December 10, probably in South Korea.
The pair will attend an official contract signing on July 20 to confirm all the details.
Manny Pacquiao Jr
Pacquiao Jr., who also goes by the name Jimuel, would be a welcome addition to the event. After winning his first amateur bout in Los Angeles last year, Pacquiao beamed with delight.
“Pacman” was happy despite not wanting his son to enter the boxing ring. Manny Jr. was already a successful singer and influencer.
Nonetheless, he had the boxing bug and was off and running in the unpaid ranks.
“Congratulations to my son Emmanuel Pacquiao Jr. on fighting and winning his first U.S. amateur fight at junior welterweight. I’m so proud of you,” said Pacquiao Sr.
Since then, Junior won two more bouts before suffering a setback in the fourth. He now boasts a 3-1 record going into a potential fight with his dad watching in the building.
Pacquiao Sr.
Senior has not yet attended any of Pac Jr’s bouts, having helped him prepare in sparring. Pacquiao Sr. retired in August 2021 after losing to Yordenis Ugas.
Pacquiao Jr. admitted in a recent interview that he does feel the pressure of living up to his father.
“There’s always pressure. I’m a junior,” Jimuel told Surprise Guest with Pia Arcangel.
“There have been Juniors also in boxing before, like Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr [and Floyd Mayweather Jr.]. But then, I guess it’s just the comparing part.
“You know, people tend to compare a lot. My coaches tell me to just focus on being you.
“‘You’re your own man. You have your own style.’ So [I] just block all the negativity out and just focus,” he added.
Exhibition
No doubt many will compare the pair no matter what happens in Junior’s career. The youngster believes he sees flashes of his father when training.
“From him, he had the best footwork and hand speed. So I try to get that from him. And also the work ethic,” pointed out Jimuel.
“Like from other fighters, too. I try to get bits and pieces. To see what works best for me. So that’s how I, you know, try to learn.”
That education for Manny Pacquiao Jr. could continue under the watchful eye of his father, with the legend himself rounding off the headliner.
Pacquiao vs Yoo will be formally announced on July 20th. Visit the Manny Pacquiao or DK Yoo social media channels for more.
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
