Pacquiao Legacy Continues: Jimuel Makes Professional Debut
As Filipino boxing fans wake up on November 29, 2025, Jimuel Pacquiao has already stepped into the professional boxing ring for the first time. The eldest son of Philippine boxing icon Manny "Pambansang Kamao" Pacquiao faced off against Brendan Lally in California, with both fighters making their professional debut in what promises to be a significant moment for Philippine sports.
Jimuel entered the bout with an amateur record of 6 wins and 4 losses, while his opponent Lally came in with a nearly identical record of 5 victories and 4 defeats. At the official weigh-ins, Jimuel demonstrated his readiness, tipping the scales at a lean 134.8 pounds, officially launching his career in the lightweight division.
The Weight of Expectation
While the fight itself represents a standard professional debut, the overwhelming attention stems from Jimuel's famous lineage. Being Manny Pacquiao's son brings immediate spotlight and scrutiny that few young boxers experience. However, as with any combat sport, the ring operates as a pure meritocracy where pedigree matters less than performance.
Boxing history reveals that successful father-son combinations remain exceptionally rare. The most prominent example features Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Jr., where the father was a competent fighter while the son evolved into one of boxing's all-time greats. Similarly, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. emerged as potentially Mexico's finest boxer, while Julio Jr. experienced early promise before fading, most recently suffering a disappointing loss to Jake Paul.
These historical precedents highlight the challenge facing Jimuel Pacquiao. The boxing community hopes he can carve his own successful path while making his legendary father proud through dedication and performance.
Benavidez Dominates Light Heavyweight Division
While attention focuses on new beginnings, established star David Benavidez continues his destructive march through the light heavyweight ranks. Last weekend, Benavidez delivered a commanding performance against Anthony Yarde, stopping the British fighter in the seventh round.
Yarde entered the contest with an impressive record of 27-4 including 24 knockouts, demonstrating significant power that failed to intimidate Benavidez. The Mexican-American fighter systematically broke down his opponent through the middle rounds before unleashing a seventh-round assault that produced two knockdowns.
At approximately the two-minute mark of round seven, the referee intervened as Yarde appeared hurt and helpless against the ropes. This victory maintains Benavidez's perfect professional record at 31-0 with 25 knockouts, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the division.
Future Championship Prospects
Benavidez's dominant performance positions him for significant future opportunities. Boxing analysts now pencil him in for a potential showdown against Dmitry Bivol, who holds the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO titles after avenging his earlier loss to Arthur Beterbiev. A matchup against either champion promises an explosive, fan-friendly encounter between powerful punchers.
The boxing world continues to monitor these developments while celebrating the emergence of new talent like Jimuel Pacquiao and the established dominance of veterans like Benavidez. As Mario Barrios noted in a recent interview, "Pacquiao can definitely crack, Tank Davis can definitely crack—that's one of the few fights where I have touched the canvas, but yeah that old man (Pacquiao) is strong."
Meanwhile, the boxing community celebrates trainer Rasheid Bacus's recent birthday, reminding us that behind every fighter stands a dedicated team working toward greatness.
