Jimuel Pacquiao, eldest son of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, aims to prove himself in his second professional fight against Darrick Gates at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California, on Friday, April 3 (Saturday, April 4 Philippine time). His family, including father Manny, mother Jinkee, partner Carolina Pimentel, and four-month-old daughter Clara, are expected ringside.
Jimuel Pacquiao, 25, earned a majority draw against Brendan Lally in his professional debut on November 29, 2025, at the same Pechanga Resort Casino, with his performance affected by distractions as partner Carolina Pimentel neared childbirth.
He faces 36-year-old Darrick Gates, an MMA fighter with a 1-7 record who lost his only boxing match to Jursly Vargas in March 2025. Gates stands 3 inches taller at 5-foot-9 with a longer reach in this four-round lightweight bout.
Jimuel weighed in at 136.2 pounds on Thursday, April 2, while Gates was at 133.8 pounds. The fight supports Pedro Taduran's IBF minimumweight title defense against Mexican Gustavo Perez Alvarez.
Manny Pacquiao Promotions, led by Sean Gibbons, stages the card.
