Pacman is back.

For decades Manny Pacquiao was a driving force in the prizefighting world yet never performed at Pechanga Casino where many top fights took place.

Ironically, Pacquiao’s first victim on the big stage, Lehlo Ledwaba, had his big moment at Pechanga in 1999, before getting smoked by Pacman in Las Vegas two years later. That win put Pacquiao on the map.

Now, Manny Pacquiao Promotions makes its American debut at Pechanga Casino on Saturday, Nov. 29, with featherweight contenders Elijah Pierce (21-2, 17 KOs) and Lorenzo Parra (23-1-1, 17 KOs) meeting for a regional title. ESPN Deportes and ESPN Knockout will show the card.

“Fight week is finally upon us, and we couldn’t be more proud of the event we’ve put together for our sold-out U.S. debut,” said Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions. “Fans in attendance and watching on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Knockout are going to be very impressed by a talented group of young fighters who are looking to become the next world champion.”

Though Pacman won’t be performing, his son Manny Pacquiao Jr. will be making his pro debut against fellow novice Brendan Lally in a lightweight contest.

Others on the card include local phenom Terry Washington (5-0, 5 KOs) of San Bernardino against Peru’s Ricardo Astuvilca (23-4) in a light fly bout set for 10 rounds.

Washington has been impressing fans with his talent and this could be his moment to shine.

Many top fighters of the past performed at Pechanga including Sugar Shane Mosley, James “Lights Out” Toney and Holly Holm. The wine valley casino in Southern California’s Inland Empire has had an impressive array of spectacular events in the past.

It was just announced that the WBC will be presenting Manny Pacquiao the Centurion Award as the Fighter of the Century. And his former trainer Freddie Roach will be presented the Centurion Award as Trainer of the Century.

“It is only fitting that Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach, two men who changed the sport forever, receive the inaugural Centurion Awards,” said Gibbons.

Pro Box Card in Fresno

About 328 miles north, also on Saurday, another boxing card that includes a world title fight between top female super flyweights takes place.

Adelaida Ruiz (17-1-1) and Alexas Kubicki (13-2) meet 10 rounds for the vacant WBC super fly world title at Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California.  ProBox TV will stream the card.

This is Ruiz’s first attempt at a world title. Though she had held the interim super flyweight title she was never offered the opportunity to fight for the actual world title. Now is her chance. She hails from Los Angeles and has long been considered a top super flyweight in an area that has many quality female fighters in that weight class such as Mizuki Hiruta and Perla Bazaldua.

Canada’s Kubicki recently fought for the flyweight world championship but was stopped by Gabriela Fundora who holds all the titles in the 112-pound weight division. Kubicki is a hard nosed fighter and will not quit.

Others scheduled to perform on the event are light flies Eric Badillo (18-0) against Elwin Soto (21-3-1), super lights Carlos Balderas (16-2) versus Ricardo Quiroz (13-6), super feathers Muhammad Yaqubov (23-1) vs Cristian Cruz (24-7-1), and lightweights Justin Pauldo (19-2) vs Nike Theran (20-1) — all in 10-round bouts.

Seven other pro bouts are scheduled on the ProBox card.

Light Heavyweights in England

Brash Ben Whittaker, who has been making waves in England, returns to the forefront and meets Germany’s Benjamin Gavazi for a regional light heavyweight title on Saturday.

Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KOs) faces Gavazi (19-1, 13 KO s) for the regional WBC Silver title on Saturday Nov. 29, at Birmingham, England. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card live.

The controversial Whittaker has made a name for himself with unorthodox movements and zany antics inside the boxing ring. But he indeed can fight despite having only nine pro fights. He is coming off back-to-backs clashes with Liam Cameron. Their first bout ended in a technical draw after both fighters simultaneously fell out of the boxing ring. Whittaker was unable to continue. Six months later they met again with Whittaker ended the match in two rounds with a knockout of Cameron.

Gavazi has not lost a fight since his pro debut back in November 2018. The native of Landau, Germany has never fought in England nor faced an adversary as unorthodox as Whittaker.

Fights to Watch (all times Pacific Time)

Sat. DAZN 9:15 a.m. Ben Whittaker (9-0-1) vs Benjamin Gavazi (19-1).

Sat. ProBox.TV 5 p.m. Adelaida Ruiz (17-1-1) vs Alexas Kubicki (13-2).

Sat. ESPN Knockout 7 p.m. Lorenzo Parra (23-1-1) vs Elijah Pierce (21-2).

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