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Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card To Join
Taduran vs. Perez This Friday Night
Manny Pacquiao Promotions (MPP) has announced additional
matchups for the action-packed Manny Pacquiao Promotions:
Taduran vs. Perez event, taking place this Friday, April 3
at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. ESPN Knockout
will air the hostilities, beginning at 6 p.m. PT.
MPP’s third U.S. event is headlined by a 12-round IBF
Minimumweight World Championship fight between reigning
champion Pedro Taduran (19-4-1, 13 KOs) and Gustavo Perez
Álvarez (16-1-0, 5 KOs). Taduran vs. Perez showcases the
storied rivalry between Filipino and Mexican fighters, a
matchup that has long delivered unforgettable battles and
helped define Manny Pacquiao’s career with countless instant
classics.
Returning to Pechanga Resort Casino following a sold-out
U.S. debut event last year, MPP presents a talent-stacked
fight card for Southern California once again.
Carrying one of boxing’s most iconic names, Jimuel Pacquiao
Jr. (0-0-1) returns for his second professional outing at
Manny Pacquiao Promotions: Taduran vs. Perez. Making his
debut under widespread attention last November at MPP’s U.S.
launch, Pacquiao Jr. rose to the occasion, leaving a
sold-out Southern California crowd on its feet after a
spirited, back-and-forth battle with Brendan Lally. Although
the bout was ruled a draw, Pacquiao Jr. displayed impressive
grit, composure, and relentless pressure—traits long
associated with his father, Manny Pacquiao. At just 25 years
old, he now takes the next step in his professional journey,
embracing both the opportunity and the responsibility of
ushering in the Pacquiao legacy into a new generation. Also
preparing for his professional sophomore appearance, Darrick
Gates (0-1) will meet Pacquiao Jr. on Friday, April 3.
Fighting out of Idaho Falls, Idaho, the 36-year-old Gates
turned professional in 2024 and looks to earn his first win
in his career against the young star.
In a highly anticipated middleweight feature bout, rising
Mexican American star and the reigning WBC Silver
Middleweight Champion Lazaro Lorenzana (19-0, 13 KOs),
squares off against Esneiker Correa (16-6-3, 6 KOs) in a
middleweight tilt. Boasting an undefeated record and
championship-caliber skill, Lorenzana, 26, is on the heels
of a statement victory over middleweight mainstay Luis Arias
at Manny Pacquiao Promotions: Lorenzana vs. Arias. Although
born and raised in San Diego, Lorenzana travels between the
U.S. and Mexico to prepare for his fights. The undefeated
prospect’s last two outings have been for the WBC Silver
Middleweight Championship and WBC Regional Championship,
proving that he is well on his way to world title
opportunities. Before his dominant professional career,
Lorenzana built an impressive amateur resume, including a
silver medal in the Jr. Olympics representing Mexico.
Lorenzana is now poised for his second professional fight
stateside near his hometown against Venezuela’s Correa.
Fighting out of Miami, the 27-year-old Correa enters his
co-main feature with intentions of stealing Lorenzana’s
booming momentum. An experienced competitor in his own
right, Correa’s professional career spans back to 2017.
Correa aims to capitalize on the young star and get back on
track with a statement victory in his first contest in
California.
In a clash of unbeaten featherweights, Joseph Subia (3-0-1,
3 KOs) takes on Francisco Casillas (3-0-2, 2 KOs) in a
scheduled four-round bout. Representing Atascadero,
California, Subia brings a perfect knockout ratio into the
matchup and looks to build on his momentum following a
first-round stoppage victory in his last outing. Standing
opposite him is Maywood, California’s Casillas, who returns
to the ring for the first time since 2022. Also undefeated,
Casillas aims to shake off the ring rust and derail Subia’s
early surge in what shapes up to be a competitive showdown
between two rising prospects.
In a lightweight showcase, West Covina, Calif.’s Paolo
Barredo (5-0, 2 KOs) faces off against Mexico’s Roberto
Almazan Monreal (13-26-1, 5 KOs). A 19-year-old budding
prospect training out of Walnut, Calif., Barredo makes a
quick turnaround following a unanimous decision victory over
Martin Vargas Ramirez earlier this month in Tijuana.
Standing across from him is the seasoned Monreal, nearly a
decade older and boasting 35 more professional bouts. Now
based in Miami, Monreal brings veteran savvy and durability
into the matchup as he prepares for his first appearance of
2026. With a wealth of experience against a wide range of
opponents, Monreal aims to test the rising prospect and play
spoiler on fight night.
Adding to the card’s mission to spotlight budding prospects,
Wahiawa, Hawaii’s Alexander Nakamura (0-1) will welcome
Antonio Villegas of Menifee, Calif., to the professional
ranks. Rounding out the card, Temecula, California’s own
Malikah Salazar is set to make his professional debut
against Las Vegas resident Stephen Barbee (1-6). The matchup
underscores MPP’s continued mission to provide emerging
talent with a platform to showcase their skills, as Salazar
looks to make a strong first impression in the professional
ranks.
Manny Pacquiao Promotions: Taduran vs. Perez arrives on the
heels of the promotion’s second consecutive sold-out event,
further cementing its status as a growing stage for both
emerging prospects and seasoned veterans alike.
Manny Pacquiao Promotions: Taduran vs. Perez
Pechanga Resort Casino | Temecula, Calif. | Saturday, April
3 | 6 p.m. PT | Airing Live on ESPN Knockout
IBF Minimumweight World Championship Main Event – 12 Rounds
Pedro Taduran (19-4-1, 13 KOs) vs. Gustavo Pérez Álvarez
(16-1-0, 5 KOs)
Lightweight Co-Main Event – 4 Rounds
Jimuel Pacquiao Jr. (0-0-1) vs. Darrick Gates (0-1)
Middleweight Bout – 10 Rounds
Lazaro Lorenzana (19-0, 13 KOs) vs. Esneiker Correa (16-6-3,
6 KOs)
Featherweight Bout – 4 Rounds
Joseph Subia (3-0-1, 3 KOs) vs. Francisco Casillas (3-0-2, 2
KOs)
Lightweight Bout – 6 rounds
Paolo Barredo (5-0, 2 KOs) vs. Roberto Almazan Monreal
(13-26-1, 5 KOs)
Super Bantamweight Bout – Super Bantamweight
Antonio Villegas (Pro Debut) vs. Alexander Nakamura (0-1)
Lightweight Bout – 4 Rounds
Malikah Salazar (Pro Debut) vs. Stephen Barbee (1-6)
Card Subject to Change*
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