Emmanuel Pacquiao Jnr bounce back from the first defeat of his career with a win in California last night. He beat Dylan Merriken by decision after the three round amateur fight at Quiet Cannon Country Club in Montebello.
It represented a return to winning ways for Pacquiao Jnr who is looking to follow in the footsteps of his father Manny Pacquiao, who is about to make a comeback. The 21 year old was coming off the first loss of his amateur career:
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Jimuel Pacquiao, son of former boxing champion @MannyPacquiao, wins his latest amateur fight in Los Angeles. | @tribunephl_nick
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Under pressure
Pacquiao Jnr appears to be based full time in Los Angeles and has been training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym. It is the camp which helped to launch his father’s career and turn him into a major international star.
He has not decided whether he will turn pro like his father but admits to feeling the pressure that comes with the Pacquiao surname,
“At first, I was just quietly going into it and stuff, but I guess it (the attention) is unavoidable. I’m trying my best (and) I have to get used to it,” he told ABS-CBN.com earlier this year.
According to Pacquiao Jnr he is taking his training very seriously,
“I’ve constantly been training. I’ve been training for months and all I want (is to) get more experience, get better. I think we’ll see in the future whether I will turn professional. Right now, I’m just trying to get better, to get more amateur fights,” he told them.
First loss
Two months ago Pacquiao Jnr suffered the first defeat of his career. It was seen as a massive upset when American debutant Chris Smith beat him by decision after securing a standing eight count.
Pacquiao Jnr got back to winning ways last night and now has four wins from his five amateur bouts. His mother, Jinkee Pacquiao, was in attendance to see her sone get his hand raised.
The Philippines does not currently have a boxing world champion. But the sport remains hugely popular and there is a lot of interest in Pacquiao Jnr’s career.
His father was born into poverty and had to survive on the streets of General Santos City before finding fame and fortune through boxing. Pacquiao Jnr had had a much more privileged upbringing but seems to have inherited a determined streak.
He clearly didn’t let that maiden loss affect him too badly and will be looking to build on what has been a largely successful start to his amateur career.
