Manny Pacquiao Jr is set to follow in his father’s footsteps by turning over as a professional boxer in the not-so-distant future.
The 23-year-old is currently learning his trade in the unpaid ranks and is listed at 4-4 as an amateur on BoxRec – although his full record is thought to be closer to 7-5.
Instagram – Freddie RoachPacquiao Jr trains with his father’s former coach Roach[/caption]
Pacquiao Jr competes in the super lightweight division and is currently training at the legendary Wild Card Gym in Hollywood under the watchful eye of Marvin Somodo and his father’s former coach Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao Sr won numerous world titles with Roach before hanging up his gloves in 2021, but his career doesn’t appear to be over just yet.
The Filipino superstar is hoping to challenge Mario Barrios for the American’s WBC welterweight crown in one last dance.
And according to World Boxing News, the plan would be for Pacquiao Jr to fight on his father’s undercard if the Barrios fight gets off the negotiation table.
Speaking to the same publication about Pacquiao Jr’s progress, head trainer Somodo said: “Manny Jr. is just training every day just like my other professional fighters.
“We are hoping to get him a fight soon, but the main thing is improving him at the gym every day.
“Turning pro in the future is the plan for him, and once I see that he is ready.
“The plan is for him to become a professional boxer, but you never know…
“He is doing really well. His work ethic is really good.
“You see him every day in the gym and never complain. We spar with world-class fighters, and he does well.
“His future depends on his performance when he turns pro. I believe he will do well, but only time will tell.”
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman expressed a willingness to sanction a fight between Barrios and Pacquiao Sr in July.
However, talks collapsed leading to Abel Ramos being given a shot at the green and gold strap on the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson undercard in November.
Explaining why Pacquiao-Barrios fell apart, Santos told Boxing Scene: “Manny Pacquiao wanted to fight Barrios and we wanted the fight but the fight couldn’t be made in time because he’s gonna be running for the senate again, I think, in January or February.
“So, [Pacquiao] has to take care of that, and we have to take care of Abel Ramos and then we’ll see what the future holds after that.”
Pacquiao initially stepped away from boxing to focus on his political career in the Philippines.
He ran for president in his home country in 2022 but he lost by a wide margin and has subsequently made his return to boxing in the exhibition sphere in a pair of bouts against martial artist DK Yoo and kickboxer Rukiya Anpo.
Pacquiao was battered from pillar to post by Anpo in his last outing in July although he was spared the embarrassment of losing the contest as it was a non-scoring bout and was therefore declared an automatic draw.
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