The Pacquiao-Dapidran Clan, hailing from Philippines’ southern island of Mindanao, has produced the nation’s most proverbial son in recent memory, Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao. Rising from the slums of the city to become one of the world’s most successful fighter is virtually unheard of and such a story has the makings of a classic rags to riches Hollywood movie. His path has drawn thousands of aspirants to take on the dangerous sport and arguably most of Filipino boxers today see him as their premier archetype.
Out of these young warriors, one name stands out as he carries a moniker same as that of the last name of the boxing legend. He is called ‘Kid Pacquiao’, now most people would assume that such an alias may be influenced by a fighter’s admiration of Pacman or his fighting style, with ‘Kid Pacquiao’, it’s more personal. The kid’s birth name is Jonel Velasquez Dapidran and he is directly related to Manny Pacquiao.
The 19-year-old fighter is Manny Pacquiao’s second cousin and is currently under the latter’s promotional banner, MP Promotions. Boasting a record of 8 wins and 1 loss with 4 knockouts, the young fighter is being groomed by Team Pacquiao as the next prospect coming out of the famed bloodline. Having a massive backing and the chance to train alongside the world’s lone 8 division champion, Dapidran who’s fighting at super lightweight (140 lbs.), sure has all the necessary means to a successful boxing career.
Though enjoying a status most of his colleagues could only dream of, the path to the summit is unchangingly stern. For some cases, such a stature proved to be their decadence when they succumb to the pressure of expectation while some just can’t sustain the discipline once fame and fortune start to draw away their focus. These are the intangible road blocks that ‘Kid Pacquiao’ must wrestle with aside from the rigorous physical challenges of training and opponents gung ho to take him out.
On Sunday, Jonel ‘Kid Pacquiao’ Dapidran will take on the challenge of local boy Brent Dames (5-3) in a 6-round super lightweight bout on the undercard of Pacquiao vs Horn at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland, Austalia. An impressive showing in a colossal card may pave the way for lucrative fights in the future and captivate the attention of boxing fans around the world. Most would agree that beyond the danger presented by his opponent, the prospect of losing in such a big event could deal more damage on the young fighter’s career and mindset. On July 2, the latest warrior to come out of the Pacquiao-Dapidran bloodline will have his chance to show what he is made of, it’s a rare opportunity he shouldn’t waste.
-For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.-
Romans 6:23
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