Eight-division world champion and reigning WBA (Regular) Welterweight World Champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao won’t be the lone Filipino fighting on at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 20th (Sunday, July 21st, Manila time).

The 40-year old Pinoy boxing icon will be on the marquee as he tries to capture the WBA (Super) Welterweight World Championship against undefeated American Keith “One Time” Thurman, while a pair of fighters from his MP Promotions stable will be competing on the undercard as well.

25-year old Genisis “Cobra” Libranza (18-1, 10 KO) will be facing American Carlos Maldonado (11-3, 7 KO) in a flyweight bout.

Libranza has been with Team Pacquiao in the US since the start of camp, even before he was scheduled to compete in Vegas on the 20th.

Libranza, a native of Agusan del Sur, is on an impressive seven-fight winning streak, with his last loss coming back in 2017, a KO loss to South African Moruti Mthalane for the IBO Flyweight World Championship.

He’s coming off a unanimous decision win in Carson back in February.

Also on the card will be Davaeño welterweight Jayar “Hitman” Inson (18-2, 12 KO), who meets veteran Mahonri Montes (35-9-1, 24 KO).

Inson, a former WBO Asia Pacific Welterweight Champion, is coming off a split decision loss to Jonathan Steele in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Adrien Broner bout in Las Vegas back in January.

Undefeated Filipino-American John Leo “The Lion” Dato (11-0-1, 7 KO) is also expected to be on the card. 

Apart from the Pinoys joining Pacquiao in Vegas on July 20th, a couple of Pinoy former champs are also in camp as they get ready for their own upcoming contests.

Former three-divison world champion Johnriel “Quadro Alas” Casimero is back on track and is preparing for a bout in Manila this August, while former WBA Interim Featherweight World Champion Jhack “El Kapitan” Tepora, who is coming off a win back in June, is also keeping busy with Team Pacquiao.

Casimero has won his last three bouts, and will be challenging for the WBO Interim Bantamweight World Championship against Cesar Ramirez. 

Article courtesy of ABS-CBN Sports

Photos courtesy of Steve Angeles