Eman Bacosa Pacquiao

Emmanuel Joseph Bacosa Pacquiao (born Emmanuel Joseph Bacosa; January 2, 2004) is a Filipino professional boxer who is most known for being a son of Manny Pacquiao out of wedlock.

On September 23, 2023, in a Manny Pacquiao Presents: Blow by Blow, Bacosa Pacquiao made his debut against 0–1 Jommel Cudiamat at the Mandaluyong College of Science and Technology Gymnasium, Mandaluyong, Philippines. The bout would go the full distance and end in a split draw (38–38, 39–37 and 37–39).^[2][3]

In his next bout on December 15, 2023, in General Santos, Bacosa Pacquiao was scheduled against Noel Pangantao in a 4-rounder bout with his father Manny Pacquiao watching at ringside. Bacosa Pacquiao delivered a praiseworthy first-round stoppage, stopping his foe in only 32 seconds. Bacosa Pacquiao would later go ringside, embraced and kissed his father Manny, ultimately dedicating the impressive win to Pacquiao. The bout was also just two days before Pacquiao's birthday celebration.^[3]

Bacosa Pacquiao would build a credible record of 6–0–1 with 4 knockouts before being able to participate in the 26th annual Manny Pacquiao Presents: Blow by Blow and major Philippine boxing event Thrilla in Manila II on October 29, 2025, that commemorates the Thrilla in Manila event between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier back on October 1, 1975. Bacosa Pacquiao was scheduled against 2–1–1, 1 knockout Nico Salado. Bacosa Pacquiao would drop the other man twice en route to a deserved 6-rounds unanimous decision, (58–55 twice and 60–53), as their match was also the opener of the event with Pacquiao as one of the organizers watching at ringside.^[4][5][6]

Emmanuel "Eman" Joseph Bacosa Pacquiao was born on January 2, 2004, from a controversial affair between boxing's only eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and a KTV bar receptionist Joanna Rose Bacosa, considering Manny Pacquiao was already married to Jinkee Jamora at that point in his life. Joanna Rose stated that Manny, who was a regular guest at the bar, playing pool in Malate, Manila, invited her for an early breakfast after work on April 18, 2003, at 3AM. They had a one-night stand and continued the affair throughout April. Three weeks after Eman was born, Joanna Rose stated that Manny would still call her from time to time but stopped giving financial assistance.^[7][8]

In 2006, Joanna Rose disclosed the existence of her and Manny’s child, Eman. She later claimed that Manny threatened to kidnap Eman if she refused to stay quiet.^[9][10] Although Manny did not initially acknowledge him as a kid, he was later seen training with Eman as an adult, who began following in his father's footsteps and pursued boxing. Eman dedicated his first-round TKO win against Noel Pangantao on December 15, 2023, to his father.^[3]

In November 2025, Bacosa was interviewed by the news magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho where he made revelations. He was born as Emmanuel Joseph Bacosa, carrying his mother's surname as an illegitimate child, and started boxing at nine years old through inspirations from his father, to which the specific bout that started it all was the Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley bout. Although, he admitted to getting bullied due to his association with Manny Pacquiao, henceforth, to gain experience, he joined a boxing match in Tagum against one of his school bullies for three rounds in which he won ₱200. Growing up, Eman understood why he and his mother Joanna Rose couldn't live with his father Manny. He and his father would later have a heart-to-heart talk where Manny would apologize and Eman would respond with acceptance.^[11]

At 12 years old, Eman moved to Japan, thanks to his mother being half-Japanese, where he would study, he also studied, trained, and became passionate in boxing, and learned discipline in general with the support of his mother. However, he later shared that he and his other half siblings experienced abuse from his step-father, to which his mother, who was absent in Japan, was unaware of the abuse. Fortunately, Manny would later help Eman, where Manny would change Eman's legal full name to Emmanuel Joseph Bacosa Pacquiao or Eman Bacosa Pacquiao, in short, to help Eman with his boxing and studies. He also gave credits to his serving father figure "Papa" Sultan, his mother's current husband, who raised him and gave sacrifices and even helped Eman train. Eman would later admit to feeling pressured from being a Pacquiao due to public expectations, but he stated that he has a good relationship with Jinkee Pacquiao. The public also regards him as attractive and associates his looks with Filipino actor Piolo Pascual, whom he would meet and talk to later.^{[11][12][13][14]}

On November 19, 2025, Bacosa signed with and officially became part of GMA's Sparkle Artist Center, with the intent of pursuing an entertainment career.^[15]

• Boxing record for Eman Bacosa Pacquiao from BoxRec (registration required)