Jimuel Pacquiao (right) and rival Brendan Lally strike a pose during the weighin while Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao stands in the background in Temecula, California. Photograph courtesy of Viva Promotions
SPORTS

Pacman Jr. Enters Punch-for-Pay Trade

Nick Giongco

Jimuel Pacquiao makes his long awaited professional debut Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) at the Pechanga Casino Resort in Temecula, California.

The son of eight-division legend Manny, Jimuel battles fellow debutant Brendan Lally in a four-round lightweight match being staged by Manny Pacquiao Promotions (MPP).

Having trained for close to five years at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood. Jimuel will have his multi-titled father and mother Jinkee at ringside.

But tasked to call the shots during the fight is Marvin Somodio, the right-hand man of Freddie Roach.

The Pacquiao-Lally showdown will serve as a special attraction to a 13-fight card headlined by a world title elimination bout.

During the official weighin, both Jimuel and Lally passed the pre-fight ritual.

The Los Angeles-based Filipino stepped in at 134.8 pounds while the Chicago-based Lally, who is of Irish lineage, came in at 134.2 pounds.

Before finally deciding to turn pro, Jimuel, 24, fought a lot of pro-am type of fights mostly in California.

Sean Gibbons, the well-connected American dealmaker, plans to do three to four MPP shows in 2026 with Filipino talents seeing action.