Uncertainty Surrounds Manny Pacquiao Jr.’s Inclusion in Upcoming Fight
In a surprising twist, the anticipated inclusion of Manny Pacquiao Jr. in the undercard for his father’s upcoming fight on July 19 is now uncertain. Initially reported by World Boxing News, it was expected that Pacquiao Jr. would make his professional debut, following discussions with his trainer, Marvin Somodo.
Training and Development
In earlier statements from December, Somodo expressed confidence that Junior could be ready to transition to professional fighting by 2025, emphasizing his impressive work ethic during training sessions.
“He’s performing remarkably well and shows up for training every day without complaint,” Somodo noted, highlighting the young fighter’s preparation alongside seasoned professionals. “The path to his professional debut will depend on how well he performs in training. I have faith in his abilities, but only time will reveal his potential.”
Manny Jr. continues to dedicate himself to daily training, akin to that of veteran fighters in the gym, and Somodo remains focused on his development rather than rushing to schedule a fight too soon.
Potential Fight Card and Developments
When directly questioned about the likelihood of appearing on the same fight card as his father, Pacquiao Jr. responded cautiously, saying,
“We’ll see. He stays in great shape and is always active, whether it’s running or playing basketball. I’ll be prepared if the opportunity arises.”
In a notable development, WBN had previously disclosed that Manny Pacquiao would be challenging Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title, creating excitement for the upcoming fight night. Various insiders linked to Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) had alluded to Pacquiao Jr. being a likely addition to the event, especially considering he had started training at the renowned Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles alongside his father.
So far, PBC confirmed a number of bouts for the event, headlined by the Pacquiao-Barrios matchup, along with other notable fights including Sebastian Fundora facing Tim Tszyu II and Brandon Figueroa battling Joet Gonzalez. Eumir Marcial from the Philippines was added to the lineup, and Mark Magsayo is also expected to secure a match in the early sessions, potentially making up to eight fights on the card, with Pacquiao Jr. still a possibility.
Official Confirmation Pending
However, in a recent interview, Sean Gibbons, President of MP Promotions, revealed uncertainty about Junior’s participation, stating,
“I’m unsure if Manny Jr. will be fighting on that card.”
Gibbons, who is closely involved in both training and promotional activities, suggests that developments in training may still impact the final lineup of fighters. An official announcement regarding Pacquiao Jr.’s status will be awaited as preparations continue.
