`Kid Pacquiao,’ kinuha ng kilalang international boxing promoter

Naulit ang kasaysayan matapos isama ng isang kilalang international promoter ang pinsan ni Manny Pacquiao na si Jonel Dapidran sa kanyang stable ng mga boksingero sa United States.

“Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, the man credited with discovering an unknown talent named Manny Pacquiao in the Philippines in 2001, proudly announces the signing of Pacquiao’s second cousin, Jonel ‘The Kid Pacquiao’ Dapidran to a long-term promotional contract,” ayon sa ulat ng BoxingScene.com.

“Seventeen year old Dapidran (6-0, 3 KOs) is an undefeated lightweight prospect from Digos City in the Philippines. Manny Pacquiao’s maternal grandfather and Junel’s father are brothers,” ayon pa sa ulat.

Bukod sa pagbibigay ng pagkakataon kay Pacquiao na hamunin si South African Lehlo Ledwaba noong Hunyo 23, 2001 sa Las Vegas, Nevada kung saan nagwagi ang Filipino sa 6th round TKO para maging IBF super bantamweight champion, si Lewkowicz rin ang nagpasikat kay dating WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez ng Argentina, WBA super featherweight titlist Javier Fortuna ng Dominican Republic at maging kay dating IBF light flyweight beltholder Johnreil Casimero ng Pilipinas.

“A San Francisco attorney named Sydney Hall brought Manny Pacquiao to my attention 15 years ago,” sabi ni Lewkowicz. “None of the major promoters paid attention, but we saw what a talent he was. I was working as a matchmaker for (then promoter) Murad Muhammad, and I convinced him to sign Manny and bring him to America.”

“Now, as a promoter, I am bringing his close family here for the first time and I strongly believe this young man will make a big statement in our sport,” dagdag ni Lewkowicz. “Jonel has the talent to become a star. I see it in him like I did with his cousin. He is coming here to prove to everyone he is a Pacquiao for the new generation of boxing. I am very happy to be his promoter and will work hard to help him rise through boxing the right way.”