Jessie Mandapat stood tall in his bout tonight at Noche de Boxeo 86 in Tijuana, Mexico. The 24-year-old, undefeated boxing prospect stepped in the ring against Panchi Casimiro.
Jessie “Super” Mandapat Victorious at Noche de Boxeo 86
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Prior to scoring his second round finish tonight, Mandapat laid out how he got into boxing with MMASucka. The Filipino fighter detailed, “I got into boxing in late grade school, I think the fifth grade. I would always be getting in trouble and [got] bad grades. My father wanted to put me in karate but it was to expensive—considering the membership and the clothing along with it. So my dad put me in boxing. The boxing gym’s name [was] Boxing 2000, but they are not open anymore. Fast forward, 1-2 weeks I went into sparring. I was so scared I didn’t throw any punches from the first to second round. But on the third round I finally threw a punch and it was a solid left hand. To some it up, I only threw one punch the whole time sparring.”
The 118 lb. prospect found his early inspiration from legendary Filipino boxer and all time great Manny Pacquaio. “Pacquiao influences me very much, as I am Filipino. I’d always get nervous as a kid when he would fight. I always wanted to be like him, not only in boxing but they way he gives back to our people and the way he represents God. He is truest my role model.”
Mandapat attributes his success to God. The now 8-0 fighter told MMASucka, “I always believed in God, but I believe I have grown very spiritually this year handing all my worries and troubles to him. With him, I seen miracles happen before my eyes, things that people said would never come true. When times are hard, especially in training, I remember the Bible verse Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”. Especially for this upcoming fight, I do have cravings for food and I do get extremely hungry at times but I always keep this scripture close to my heart, John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
Looking to the Future
Mandapat is looking to make an impact in and outside of the ring in 2023. Looking to the future, the southpaw told MMASucka, “[In] 2023, we will prep for 8 rounds. I am ready to take over at 118. I am prepared and ready for what’s to come. I have been training hard for this moment and now it’s time to bare fruit. I want to give my family the life they never had. No worries. No bills. I just want them to live the life they deserve. I want to give back to the Philippines people back home—the most compassionate and thankful people you will ever meet. I want to be for the people, just like my idol Pacquaio. I want to give back to Pangasinan Philippines first, then we will see where God takes me.”
Mandapat is scheduled to step back into the ring on February 11th, 2023, in Commerce, California, under the Elite Boxing Promotions banner.
