EMMANUEL ‘Jimuel’ Pacquiao Jr., carrying the weight of his father’s legendary name, failed to make a significant impact in his professional boxing debut, settling for a majority draw against fellow newcomer Brendan Lally. The four-round lightweight bout took place at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California, on Sunday, leaving many observers questioning the judges’ scoring.
While one judge scored the fight 39-37 in favor of Pacquiao Jr., the other two scored it 38-38, resulting in the majority draw. However, the scorecards arguably did not reflect the actual flow of the fight, as Lally, the taller and more aggressive fighter, appeared to have the upper hand for much of the contest. The American fighter from Chicago consistently used his size advantage, forcing Pacquiao Jr. onto the ropes, particularly in the later rounds.
Despite being on the defensive for significant portions of the fight, Pacquiao Jr. did have his moments, landing several overhand rights and uppercuts to Lally’s head, eliciting cheers from the crowd, which included his parents, Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao. However, Lally’s relentless pressure, combined with his effective straight punches to the head and hooks to the body, kept Pacquiao Jr. on the back foot, drawing concerned expressions from his parents ringside.
Ultimately, Pacquiao Jr. managed to avoid a losing start to his professional career, salvaging some pride when the scores were announced. The 24-year-old, who had accumulated at least 10 amateur fights before turning pro, can now look to learn from this experience and improve as he continues his journey in the professional ranks. The Pacquiao Jr.-Lally bout was part of Manny Pacquiao’s first boxing card in the United States under his company, Manny Pacquiao Promotions (MPP).
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