BOXING legend Manny Pacquiao was satisfied with the way his son Jimuel Pacquiao boxed in his first ever professional fight.
The 46-year-old icon was at ringside with his wife Jinkee and watched his eldest child eke out a majority draw against American Brendan Lally in a four-round lightweight bout.
“He did well for his first fight,” said the elder Pacquiao, noting that Jimuel didn’t exactly have a long career fighting as an amateur.
READ Jimuel Pacquiao scores majority draw in up-and-down pro debut
“For me, I’m satisfied with his performance although we’re expecting more,” added the former senator in an interview with US scribes after the fight at the Pechanga Resort in Casino in Temeluca, California.
The younger Pacquiao won on one judge’s scorecard, 39-37, while earning a draw each from the two other judges.
The 24-year-old pro obviously was tested right away in his first fight, an experience that should toughen him up for future bouts, according to the Pacman.
“It’s a good experience for him to have a fight like that. I told him it’s easy,” said the only fighter to win eight world division title.
“Ahead of time, I told him professional fight is different from the amateurs, different from sparring and training.”
Pacquiao admitted feeling uneasy watching his son box professionally for the first time under the card promoted by his own boxing outfit.
“I can’t explain my feelings. I just sat there quietly, but I want to shout and give him instructions. But I know he won’t hear me,” he said.
Given the way the fight ended, the boxing great was the first to say Jimuel still has a long road ahead of him.
“I’m sure he learned a lot from this first fight,” said Pacquiao of his son. “I always told him boxing is not easy. You got to work hard and sacrifice more than you thought.”
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