Manny Pacquiao Promotions rolling into Temecula and selling out Pechanga straight away shouldn’t shock anyone who’s followed boxing longer than five minutes, but it still landed with a bit of noise. Tickets gone, standing room gone, even the resale vultures on Ticketmaster barely have scraps left. And now the whole thing gets streamed on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Knockout on Saturday night. Not a bad way to kick open the U.S. doors.
Sean Gibbons has been chirping all week about this being a statement event, and for once the sales pitch isn’t overselling. Ten fights, title scraps, unbeaten prospects, knockout merchants, and a main event tailor-made for violence. And all of it wrapped into Pacquiao’s first full U.S. promotional outing. Temecula isn’t Vegas, but it’ll do just fine when the place is packed and half the crowd is wearing Pacquiao shirts from three different eras.
Why This Event Feels Like A Proper Launch, Not A Trial Run
The vibe around Pechanga is that this isn’t a tester. This is Pacquiao planting a flag and daring every other promoter to pretend they didn’t see it. Jimmy Lennon Jr. on the mic. Shawn Porter floating around doing social coverage. Doors open at 5 p.m. PT, first fight at 6, and the broadcast hits at 7.
Sean Gibbons said it like a bloke who knows he’s sitting on a loaded card:
“Fans in attendance and watching on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Knockout are going to be very impressed by a talented group of young fighters who are looking to become the next world champion.”
Lead matchmaker Brendan Gibbons didn’t hold back either:
“There is going to be non-stop action from the first bell to the last, and I can’t wait to launch Manny Pacquiao Promotions here in the United States with this event.”
So yeah, the place is buzzing for a reason.
The Main Event And The Fight Everyone’s Whispering About
At the top of the card? A guaranteed tear-up. Venezuela’s Lorenzo Parra (23-1-1, 17 KOs) meets Oklahoma City’s Elijah Pierce (21-2, 17 KOs) for the WBO International featherweight title. Two punchers, both mean, both close to a world shot. The winner probably lands Rafael Espinoza next, and that alone tells you how serious this main event is.
But the fight stealing most of the oxygen?
Jimuel Pacquiao’s pro debut.
The oldest Pacquiao son finally turning over, under the bright U.S. lights, while he and his fiancée just welcomed Manny Pacquiao’s first grandchild a week ago — boxing loves its timing. Jimuel’s been grinding at Wild Card with Marvin Somodio and apparently sparring like he’s trying to prove something to every critic he’s ever had.
Standing across from him is Brendan Lally, also debuting, also young, and coming from a collegiate national championship background. He didn’t fly across the country to play the role of “the guy Manny’s kid beats.” He’s coming to wreck the script.
And because Pacquiao Promotions knows how to mix community with chaos, they’ve tied in a Toys for Tots drive. Fans can bring unwrapped toys for kids across Southern California. A nice touch before someone gets punched in the mouth.
Full Bout Listing
Main Card Live on ESPN Deportes & ESPN Knockout
WBO International Featherweight Title – 12 Rounds
Elijah Pierce (21-2, 17 KOs) vs. Lorenzo Parra (23-1, 17 KOs)
Lightweight – 4 Rounds
Jimuel Pacquiao (Pro Debut) vs. Brendan Lally (Pro Debut)
Middleweight – 10 Rounds
Lazaro Lorenzana (18-0, 13 KOs) vs. Luis Arias (22-5-1, 11 KOs)
Flyweight – 8 Rounds
Jose Russell Regalado (16-1, 10 KOs) vs. Saleto Henderson (10-2, 7 KOs)
WBC USA Light Flyweight Title – 10 Rounds
Terry Washington (5-0, 5 KOs) vs. Ricardo Astuvilca (23-4, 5 KOs)
Prelims
Light Heavyweight – 4 Rounds
Adil Gadzhiev (3-1, 1 KO) vs. Sheldon Payne
Super Featherweight – 8 Rounds
Michael Bracamontes (13-2-1, 6 KOs) vs. William King (6-2-2, 3 KOs)
Super Bantamweight – 4 Rounds
Alexis Alvarado (8-1-1, 5 KOs) vs. Garen Diagan (10-7-1, 5 KOs)
Super Featherweight – 4 Rounds
Rodrigo Mosquera III (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. Bryan Domingo (0-3-1)
Featherweight – 8 Rounds
Javier Zamarron (10-0, 5 KOs) vs. Alejandro Meniano (7-0, 4 KOs)
All these so-called young stars they bringing out, most of them got padded records or ain’t fought nobody serious yet 😒 Real boxing fans see through that.
Yeah I checked those records too, lots of easy fights just to look good on paper 🙄.
You gotta start somewhere tho, not everybody fights champions in their first ten bouts 🤷♂️.
‘Toys for Tots’ is cool and all but they just using that to make people feel better bout paying high prices for tickets 💸 Just do the fights and stop pretending.
Everybody talking about Pacquiao promotions like it’s gonna save boxing or something lol. There already good fighters out there, we don’t need more hype shows.
This ain’t no real launch, come on now 😂 Temecula? That ain’t Vegas or MSG or anything big time. Just feels like they trying too hard to look important.
Temecula might not be Vegas but if the fights are good then who cares where it’s at? It’s about action not fancy lights 🌟.
I think this whole thing is just hyped cause it’s Pacquiao’s name on it. Jimuel ain’t done nothing yet and already acting like a star. Let him earn it first.
Exactly! They pushing Jimuel too hard too fast. He should fight small cards first before going big like this 🥊.
Nah y’all wrong. It’s smart to put him out there now while people watching. That’s how stars get made 💯.
I don’t see why everybody’s so excited. Just cause Pacquiao is promoting don’t mean it’s gonna be great. A lot of fighters on the card ain’t even proven yet 🤷♀️.