By:  | October 10, 2022 10:08 am

Michael Pacquiao made his boxing debut last weekend. He competed as an amateur and beat John Ruiz by decision after three rounds of fighting at the Phase 1 Gymnasium.

The 20 year old has left it quite late if he is looking to follow in the footsteps of his father, Manny Pacquiao. He was arguably the best boxer the Philippines has ever produced and won his first world title at the age of 19.

But while Pacquiao grew up in such abject poverty that his father is alleged to have eaten his dog the boxer’s children have known nothing but wealth. That has not stopped two of them from trying to test their skills inside the squared circle.

Michael Pacquiao didn’t have things all his own way in what was a first foray into the world of amateur boxing. In the opening round his southpaw opponent connected with a series of jabs that seemed to cause a nosebleed.

The pace slowed in the second and by the third round both men looked tired but Pacquiao was the busier of the two and took home a unanimous decision win. He already has a successful career in the music industry and doesn’t sound too serious about his boxing telling Rappler,

“Sinubukan ko lang ang boxing(I just wanted to try boxing).”

Successful start

Emmanuel Pacquiao Jnr, better known as Jimuel, has been enjoying success as an amateur in the US. The 21 year old appears to be taking his boxing career very seriously.

He has relocated to Los Angeles in order to spend time training with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym. This was the place that transformed his father’s career, transforming him from a champion boxer who was unknown outside of the Philippines to a major global star.

Boxing in the Philippines has been in the doldrums since Pacquiao’s retirement from the sport. The country still has a handful of world champions but no-one has emerged to fill the void left by fading legends like Nonito Donaire and Donny Nietes.

Manny Pacquiao has an exhibition bout with DK Yoo booked for December. He still has a huge fan following and hasn’t exactly faded into obscurity since retiring from boxing, he ran for president earlier this year!

Anyone stepping into the ring bearing the Pacquiao surname is sure to be a big box office draw. But it doesn’t sound like Michael Pacquiao is too serious about his boxing career even if it has got off to a good start.