Above: Jerick Padsing dominates his 6th fight at a packed event at Rock City Harley-Davidson Little Rock in Arkansas on June 28, 2024.

Jerick Padsing: The Next Big Thing in the Ring

By Chanelle Hayes / Photography by Jaydon Jacalne

Born in Kidapawan City, Cotabato, Philippines, 26-year-old Jerickcel (Jerick) Lito Losis Padsing has always known he wanted to be a professional athlete. His initial love was football, which he dedicated his life to until his freshman year of high school. By then, he had become burnt out and desired a different outcome. This shift didn’t deter him; on the contrary, it increased his passion for sports and served as a daily reminder of his perseverance and unwavering resolve—a tale that inspires everyone who hears it.

Padsing quit football and looked to his faith for direction. “I prayed to God and said, ‘Lord, please give me a chance to become a boxer,'” he recalled. At 18, all it took was one prayer to start him toward his dream. He found inspiration in boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who united the Filipino community with each victory in the ring. “One day, my dad came to my room and said that a trainer, Pablo Taffanelli, wanted to meet me, and I couldn’t believe it,” Padsing recalled. “After meeting Taffanelli, the rest is history.”

From starting as his trainer to currently serving as the man behind the scenes, Taffanelli consistently pushes Padsing to the limit and is helping him further his career through business opportunities and the promoting and marketing side of boxing. “It’s a pleasure to work with Jerick,” said Taffanelli, who has more than 20 years of boxing experience working with world-class champions. “He’s one of those young men you don’t get to see anymore.”

Taffanelli’s business partner, Anushavan (Anush) Yeranosyan, is also part of Padsing’s “dream team.” “Anush was excited to be a part of my journey when he heard about Coach Pablo’s passion for me,” Padsing said. “He believes in what we’re doing and sees the vision ahead. He’s an essential part of my team and was the missing link we needed.”

Taffanelli and Yeranosyan’s guidance and Padsing’s innate talent, commitment and work ethic were evident in his last fight. This co-main event occurred on June 28 at Rock City Harley-Davidson Little Rock in Arkansas. The fight lasted one round, as Padsing knocked out his opponent in under three minutes with an uppercut and a chilling left hook that flattened him out. “He had the best fight of the night out of the seven fights,” Taffanelli proclaimed.

“After the fight, so many people complimented me about how I fought and wanted to take pictures with me,” Padsing said. “I was extremely glad that they loved the way I fought because of the amount of work I put in. They showed so much love and support.” This win leaves Padsing undefeated with a record of 6-0.

To get to where he is today, Taffanelli has put Padsing through a rigorous schedule that includes mental conditioning, physical training and sparring at least five days a week. Padsing’s remarkable dedication and perseverance are evident in his demanding schedule and how intensely he prepares.

Taffanelli often lectures about the value of having a positive mental attitude in any circumstance, whether in or out of the ring. “In my experience, boxing is more mental than physical,” Padsing stated. “Doing the same thing every day can become draining and exhausting. To help him develop that mindset, Taffanelli sent him to train with fighter Kid Diamond and experience life in Kyrgyzstan, a Central Asian country.

“I was there to train for a month and a half but had to stay for about 10 months due to the pandemic in March 2020,” he stated. “It was an encounter that changed my life. It felt like stepping back in time to be there. For instance, people continue to clean with their hands and hang their clothes from threads. Kid Diamond was amazing. I was taken in by his family and permitted to live with them. They were once a part of the USSR, so I had to learn some Russian. I also learned what it meant to be a warrior and rely solely on myself. After that vacation, I had a mental shift. I will always remember that event.”

Taffanelli mentored Padsing and taught him everything about the mental and physical sides of the sport. In addition, Padsing has received encouragement from other boxers, like Manny Pacquiao, who is his biggest inspiration. “Everybody says he’s like Pacquiao,” Taffanelli said. The comparison to Pacquiao is a testament to Padsing’s potential and people’s high expectations for him in the boxing world.

Taffanelli, who had connections with Pacquiao’s team, arranged for Padsing to meet him while he was in Las Vegas training for his fight against Jessie Vargas.” It was a moment of immense pride for me and the Filipino community,” Padsing stated. “I didn’t believe him when he told me I would meet him. But the mood shifted as soon as we entered the gym where he was. I will always remember his powerful presence.”

Padsing has also drawn inspiration from Jeff Mayweather, the uncle of Floyd Mayweather Jr., the five-time world champion. “Working with him was an honor and privilege,” he stated. “He used to come into the gym where I worked out and just looked at me, observing my moves. I’ll never forget what he said to me at the time. Whether I was practicing or fighting, he would constantly tell me to calm down and be more relaxed.”

Padsing’s admiration for Héctor Camacho, who Taffanelli trained with early in his career, is evidence of his passion for the game. Despite not having the opportunity to meet Camacho—who tragically died in 2012—Padsing saw him mature. “I loved his presence and energy,” he stated. “His personality lit up the room. I have always loved seeing his bold and extravagant outfits when he stepped into the ring.” Boxing legends like Camacho are highly regarded because they influence the current generation of boxers and their connection to the sport’s rich past.

In addition to his boxing mentors, the Las Vegas Filipino community and beyond have been a considerable source of support for Padsing. Among his supporters are the following: Nadia Arroyo, CEO of the Philippine Times of Southern Nevada; Jeff Kimble, writer and entrepreneur; Cin-Cin Landeros, CEO of Trans-Pacific Multiservices; Izzy Benavidez, shoe designer and founder of Tru Essence Customs; and Dr. Michael StaJuana, producer for Fil-Am News, which highlights the Filipino community and recently presented Padsing with the 2024 Outstanding Man of the Year award. Their combined encouragement proves the community’s importance in an athlete’s life.

Outside the boxing ring, Padsing is all about his family and faith. “My parents have supported my journey, so I would love to help them as much as possible and give my time to churches that have helped me spiritually,” he said. “I would just be a great example to the youth. My team and I would love to give back to people in need. We would help in any way we can here in the United States, the Philippines, or any other country with food and shelter.”

When asked about his future career goals, Padsing said, “My ultimate goal is to inspire upcoming generations of Filipino boxers and leave a lasting legacy in the sport. I want to become a multi-world champion, not just any champion, but a champion with multiple belts and weight divisions. To get there, I plan to stay focused and persistent. That’s what Coach Pablo and I have been doing since 2016. We never gave up, kept believing, kept pushing and kept our loyalty to each other as many fighters and coaches/managers split all the time. It’s been a long time coming for us.”

To stay updated on Padsing’s journey, visit www.jerickpadsing.com or follow him on Instagram (@jerickpadsing).