The inaugural card's main event
for Manny Pacquiao's promotion in the U.S. is set.
The International Boxing Hall of Famer and eight-division champion’s promotion, Manny Pacquiao Promotions, will host its first card stateside on November 29 at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.
The card will be headlined by
Elijah Pierce vs.
Lorenzo Parra in a 12-round WBO featherweight title eliminator.
"It is an honor to bring Manny Pacquiao Promotions to the U.S.," Pacquiao said via press release.
"November 29 marks a pivotal new beginning. Some of my greatest memories took place in U.S. rings, and I’m proud to now create opportunities for the next generation of champions. With talent-rich events like this one, we will spotlight rising contenders and provide a platform for fighters to perform on a global stage."
MPP is co-promoting the card alongside World Boxing Champions Promotions and Patrick Ortiz of Ringside Ticket Inc. The broadcaster, commentary team and the rest of the undercard will be announced at a later date.
Pierce (21-2, 17 KOs), ranked No. 2 with the WBC, No. 3 by the WBO and No. 11 with the IBF, has won 12 straight fights.
Pierce, 29, of Oklahoma City, climbed off the canvas to win by ninth-round knockout against Michael Dasmarinas on July 25 and in doing so, won a secondary WBO featherweight belt.
Parra (23-1-1, 17 KOs) of Machiques, Venezuela, enters this contest after a 10-round majority draw against Omar Trinidad on August 15 for his WBC Continental Americas title at 126-pounds.
Trinidad sits at No. 2 with the IBF and No. 6 across the WBA, WBC and WBO rankings.
Prior to facing Trinidad (19-0-2, 13 KOs) in his first fight after a two-year absence, the 30-year-old was on a nine-fight win streak, most recently a split decision nod against Javon Woodard Jr (15-2, 13 KOs) in August 2023.
The title eliminator marks the first scheduled 12-round bout for both, with the winner moving closer to a shot against WBO beltholder Rafael Espinoza -
who has his own business to take care of.
The Ring's No. 1-rated featherweight
Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs) will make his fourth title defence and first on home soil in Mexico against Arnold Khegai (23-2-1, 14 KOs) on November 15, two weeks prior.
The card will also feature the pro debut of Pacquiao's son Manny 'Jimuel' Pacquiao Jr and he'll be trained by Marvin Somodio, a longtime assistant of IBHOF trainer Freddie Roach, his father's longtime trainer. Jimuel has boxed in the amateur ranks over the last three years, with an opponent to be announced at a later date.