TEMECULA, California – In a pulsating opener that echoed the family legacy of eight-division king Manny Pacquiao, the legend’s eldest son, Jimuel Pacquiao, stepped into the professional ring for the first time and left with a hard-earned majority draw against the lanky and relentless Brendan Lally on Sunday (Manila time) at Pechanga Resort Casino. The four-round lightweight clash, co-featured on Manny Pacquiao Promotions’ inaugural U.S. card, showcased the 24-year-old’s resilience against a taller, more aggressive debutant from Chicago, drawing a split scorecard that felt like a moral victory for the budding boxer.
The bout unfolded like a classic tale of underdog tenacity: Lally, leveraging his height advantage and forward pressure, kept the shorter Pacquiao on the back foot for much of the fight, stalking with jabs and body shots that tested the Filipino’s defense. Pacquiao, who only dipped into amateur boxing in March 2022 and notched a 6-4 record before turning pro, absorbed the punishment but fired back with crisp counters and footwork that hinted at his father’s elusive style. Brief flurries in the second and third rounds – including a sharp left hook that snapped Lally’s head back – gave Jimuel moments of control, enough to sway one judge in his favor at 39-37, while the other two evened it at 38-38 for the draw.
Ringside observers couldn’t help but draw parallels to Manny’s own gritty path, though Jimuel’s measured approach spoke to a more patient evolution. “It’s not the fireworks we saw from Dad, but it’s smart boxing – learning on the job against a tough cookie,” quipped a Pacquiao family insider post-fight. Manny and wife Jinkee, beaming from the front row, offered immediate hugs and words of wisdom, with the eight-division champ later posting on social media: “Proud of you, anak. The ring teaches what gloves can’t – keep grinding.” Lally, gracious in defeat (or tie), tipped his cap: “Kid’s got heart; this ain’t over.”
For Jimuel, the draw caps a whirlwind transition from amateur circuits to the paid ranks, a debut that dodged the dreaded loss while underscoring the steep learning curve ahead. As the Pacquiao Promotions banner flies higher stateside, all eyes turn to his next bout – a step toward carving his own legend in a lineage defined by knockouts and never-say-die spirit. In the end, the ring proved once more: Bloodlines matter, but battles are won one round at a time.