Jimuel Pacquiao scored the first knockout victory of his professional career as proud father Manny Pacquiao watched from ringside at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.
The lightweight prospect stopped Idaho’s Darrick Gates in the second round and improved to 1-0-1 in just his second start as a pro.
Pacquiao pressed on early and dropped Gates twice before the referee stopped the fight at 1:34 of the second round.
This victory gives the 25-year-old his first professional victory after his debut fight ended in a draw.
Jimuel Pacquiao scores in stoppage time
“It’s a weight lifted off my shoulders,” Pacquiao said. “I learned so much in my first fight that I was able to apply it to training camp and at night.
“I have the best team in the world around me at Wild Card Boxing Club and today’s result is proof of that. The experience I am gaining is invaluable and I can’t wait to get back to work.”
Pacquiao took down Gates early in the second round, forcing a stoppage after scoring two knockdowns in quick succession.
Mikael Ona | MP promotion
Main event
Earlier in the evening, Pedro Taduran defended the IBF minimum weight world championship by defeating Mexican Gustavo Pérez Álvarez in the seventh round.
The Filipino champion scored four knockdowns during the fight before ending the fight at 1:34 of the seventh round.
“I am honored that my first fight in the United States was successful in defending my title,” said Taduran. “Pérez presented a novel challenge, but I coped with it quickly.
“This was my fourth title defense. I’ll talk to Sean Gibbons and I’ll be ready to face whoever’s next.”
Mikael Ona | MP promotion
Subtab
Lazaro Lorenzana scored a unanimous decision victory over Venezuelan Esneiker Correa in a middleweight fight, scoring a second-round knockout to secure a ten-round victory.
Józef Subia maintained his undefeated record with a majority decision victory over Francisco Casillas in a featherweight fight.
Paolo Barredo defeated Roberto Monreal by unanimous decision in a six-round lightweight fight.
Antonio Villegas he scored a first-round knockout in his professional debut against Alexander Nakamura, and Malikah Salazar also won in his debut, defeating Stephen Barbee by decision.
Pechanga Resort Casino Results
Pedro Taduran KO7 Gustavo Pérez Álvarez Jimuel Pacquiao KO2 Darrick Gates Lazaro Lorenzana Esneiker UD10 belt Józef Subia MD4 by Francisco Casillas Paolo Barredo UD6 Roberto Monreal Antonio Villegas KO1 by Alexander Nakamura Malikah Salazar UD4 by Stephen Barbee
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported on in-ring performances. Read the full biography.
World Boxing News has archived the biggest boxing results from April 2026, including Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, Conor Benn, Tenshin Nasukawa, Alycia Baumgardner, Ben Whittaker, Jarrell Miller and Skye Nicolson.
The month featured major action in the heavyweight division, title fights in multiple divisions, and several notable performances from emerging contenders and established world champions.
Below is the complete archive of WBN’s April 2026 boxing results, including links to fight reports, scorecards and live coverage where available.
April 29
Skye Nicolson defeated Mariah Turner UD
April 25
Jarrell Miller defeated Lenier Pero UD | Report and results
April 18
Ben Whittaker defeated Brian Sanchez KO1 | Scorecard and results
April 17
Alicja Baumgardner defeated Bo Mi Re Shin UD | Report and results
Lani Daniels defeated Shadasia Green TKO9 | Report
Dave Allen returned to winning ways on Saturday night, going the full distance in less than six weeks after a controversial stoppage defeat to Filip Hrgovic.
The popular heavyweight outpointed Ross McGuigan over four rounds in Rotherham, improving his record to 26-9-2.
Allen featured just 36 days after his defeat to Hrgovic at Doncaster. This fight sparked debate when his corner threw in the towel after three rounds.
The quick comeback only deepened that debate, with Allen previously noting that he was never knocked down despite sharing the ring with some of boxing’s greatest hitters.
Against McGuigan, Allen managed to gain valuable runs under his belt and shake off the disappointment of defeat to Hrgovic without suffering significant penalties.
McGuigan, from Peckham, London, lost ten times in eighteen fights before Allen’s tally was eleven. The 40-year-old was stopped by the debutant in his previous appearance in May.
The four-round contest was a modest return for the “White Rhino,” but one that allowed him to stay lively ahead of his next scheduled appearance on July 25.
The trip also served as a reminder that Allen has no intention of remaining passive despite the setback, with another fight already on the calendar this summer.
After Hrgovic’s defeat, Saturday’s victory gave him a chance to rebuild the momentum and gain some rounds before taking on the next challenge.
Allen’s next fight is expected to be another stepping stone before he pursues greater opportunities later in the year.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives and reported on ring performances. Read the full biography.
On Saturday night, Joshua Edwards continued his undefeated career in the heavyweight rankings, scoring another knockout at the Oscar Collazo in California.
The undefeated Houston prospect improved to 7-0 with six knockouts after defeating Garreth Payton in the second round of a scheduled eight-round fight.
Edwards ended the fight in 1:06 with a crushing right hand that left no doubt about the result.
On the DAZN broadcast, undefeated Uzbek Olympian Ruslan Abdullaev won the WBA Continental Gold super-lightweight title with a fifth-round knockout of Orestes Velazquez, while Yair Gallardo improved to 12-0 with a unanimous decision victory over Buneet Bisla to claim the vacant NABO and WBC FECARBOX delicate heavyweight titles.
Brandon Colantonio Back to winning ways
Hours later, Colantonio also found success, defeating Zach Contos in eight rounds in Victoria, British Columbia, improving to 8-2 and winning the World Boxing Foundation International heavyweight title.
The pair last met on February 21 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where Edwards earned a unanimous decision in a hard-fought six-round fight that raised the profile of both fighters.
In an interview with World Boxing News after defeating Contos, Colantonio thanked those who supported his career.
“I just want to thank everyone who has supported me along my journey and I will continue my pursuit of a world title,” Colantonio told WBN.
The results mean both men emerged from Saturday night with victories, adding another chapter to a rivalry that helped introduce them to a wider audience earlier this year.
Both Edwards and Colantonio have spoken to WBN about the fight since it made headlines for the Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios fight.
Four months after crossing paths in Las Vegas, both heavyweights left on Saturday night with fresh enthusiasm as they enter the second half of 2026.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives and reported on ring performances. Read the full biography.
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