Pacquiao okays son’s boxing dream
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Sun, 03 Mar 2019 17:01:19 +0000
Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao wants Emmanuel Jr., also known as Jimuel, to pursue a career in law although he already allowed his eldest son to pursue his boxing dream.
Pacquiao confirmed to The Manila Times on Saturday during the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League All-Star Game at the Mall of Asia Arena that he already allowed Jimuel to train in boxing even if he was against it.
“Kung gusto niya, pinayagan ko na siya. Gusto ko sa kanya makapagtapos ng pag-aaral at gusto ko siyang mag-law (If he likes, I already allowed him. I want him to finish his studies and graduate. I want him to take up law),” the 40-year-old boxing icon said.
Jimuel, 18, would undergo amateur boxing training first before heading to his next fight, Pacquiao said. Jimuel’s first fight was an exhibition amateur bout against Lucas Carson in Alabang on February 9 that ended in a draw.
“Mag-training muna siya. Amateur na muna siya, training lang muna siya hanggang sa mahasa. Mag-fight muna siya, wala pa experience (He will undergo training first until he sharpens his skills. He will be in the amateur ranks first. He still has to fight, he lacks experience), ” the elder Pacquiao said. “Gusto niya ma-experience (He wants to experience it).”
Jimuel is in his senior year at Brent International School in Manila.
“Napag-usapan na at go na go na (He already talked about it). Mahirap eh, ayaw ko man siya mag-boxing, pero gusto naman niya (It is hard because I really don’t like him to box, but he wants it),” Pacquiao said.
According to reports, Jimuel started his training in boxing in December last year, a month before his father blasted Adrien Broner 19 via unanimous decision to retain his World Boxing Association welterweight belt in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Meanwhile, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) said they would welcome Jimuel with open arms if he seriously pursues his boxing dream first in the amateur ranks.
“Mr. [Ricky] Vargas has already asked me to contact Sen. [Pacquiao] regarding this. Of course, ABAP will welcome [him] if he’s interested. He [Jimuel] is of good pedigree,” ABAP Executive Director Ed Picson said in an online interview.
Vargas is the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.
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