Manny Pacquiao Jr. will continue his boxing career Friday night in California, facing Darrick Gates in what appears to be a significant step down in opposition. The 25-year-old son of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring four months after his professional debut ended in controversy.
Pacquiao Jr., commonly known as Jimuel, was fortunate to earn a draw against Brendan Lally in November 2025. Lally, an English teacher and former collegiate boxing champion at the University of Illinois, fought the younger Pacquiao to a stalemate in a four-round lightweight contest.
Father Sets Training Condition After Debut
Following the disappointing debut, the eight-division world champion issued an ultimatum to his son. "I want to make sure that, if he fights again, I'm gonna supervise his training," Manny Pacquiao said at the time. "He can fight again, but I have to make sure I'm supervising his training. I don't want that to happen again."
The elder Pacquiao is promoting Friday's card, which features his son against Gates. The 36-year-old opponent brings an 0-3 MMA record and 1-6 bare-knuckle boxing record to the ring.
Gates Brings Limited Boxing Experience
Gates, known as "The Buck," has competed in only one professional boxing match prior to Friday's bout. He was knocked out in 105 seconds in that contest, raising questions about the level of opposition selected for Pacquiao Jr.'s second professional fight.
The matchup comes as the elder Pacquiao prepares for his own return to the ring. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are scheduled to rematch at the Las Vegas Sphere on September 25, eleven years after their 2015 superfight.
Mayweather Rematch Status Uncertain
Recent comments from Mayweather have cast doubt on the nature of the September bout. The undefeated boxer recently claimed the fight would be an exhibition, prompting a sharp response from Pacquiao.
"He signed a contract for a real fight," Pacquiao stated. "The contract that we signed is a real fight. I wouldn't fight an exhibition. It's a real fight. That's what he signed up for, that's the contract he signed, he has to remember that."
