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Son of immigrant caregivers relishes fighting in Pacquiao undercard

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Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN News North America Bureau

<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/huCENamkiDg?enablejsapi=1"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>LAS VEGAS—John Leo Dato will kick off fight night in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday morning, Manila time) with a match-up against Mexican-American Juan Antonio Lopez, a few hours before Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman battle.“This is a big step and I&#x27;m really, really blessed to be on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao,” said Dato, who is based in Central California but was born in La Union.“All my life I was thinking I&#x27;m going to be on the undercard. Always dreaming, working hard and here I am being on Manny’s undercard.”The Datos migrated from Bangar town, La Union to Bakersfield when John Leo was 7, and moved around California&#x27;s central valley.The prep athlete picked up the sport after high school and now works as a personal trainer in between his training sessions.He made his professional debut in December 2016 and has brought his record to 11-0-1 with 7 victories by knockout; Lopez boasts a 14-6 record.“It’s what I love to do,” Dato said. “I don&#x27;t know what I was going to do after high school so I did boxing, and ever since, I started falling in love, and I am now fighting an undercard of Manny Pacquiao. It’s a blessing.”Dato has been active, taking on 5 fights in 2018, and this Saturday&#x27;s event will mark his third ring appearance this year.The workhorse mindset is something his parents, both caregivers, instilled in the 26-year-old bantamweight.“It’s a blessing, I can&#x27;t take things for granted. I&#x27;m so happy. I&#x27;m going to make them happy,” he said.On Saturday, the American dream moves one step closer for the Datos, and they&#x27;ll share the stage with two other Pinoy punchers. Pacquiao-promoted Genisis Libranza and Jayar Inson are also both on the undercard for this weekend&#x27;s pay-per-view showdown.Read more on <a href="https://balitangamerica.tv/">Balitang America</a>.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

John Leo Dato, a La Union native, fights in an undercard bout prior to the Pacquiao-Thurman main event in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time.)

John Leo Dato, a La Union native, fights in an undercard bout prior to the Pacquiao-Thurman main event in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time.)

Son of immigrant caregivers relishes fighting in Pacquiao undercard

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Son of immigrant caregivers relishes fighting in Pacquiao undercard

Steve Angeles,

ABS-CBN News North America Bureau

Published July 21, 2019 12:55 AM PHT

Read More:

John Leo Dato

Manny Pacquiao

Keith Thurman

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