Raising Pacquiao: A Conversation with Jackie Mondajar

RCV’s Note: Special thank yous to Coach Jackie for taking the time to do this interview and also to Kru Judd Skinner and the New Era family for making this all possible!

If you are not familiar with the name Manny Pacquiao, you really are living under a rock. The pound-for-pound king of Boxing, is not only a world class fighter, but he is a mainstream celebrity. He is not only one of the most exciting fighters in the ring, but he is also a marketer’s dream, he is also arguably one of the most influential people in the world. He is a modern day renaissance man, getting involved in politics, entertainment, and philanthropy. He has been featured on the cover of Time Magazine, Ranked #55 in Forbes Magazine, and is the poster boy for Nike Boxing. The poor boy from General Santos City is big time and everyone in the world knows it. We’ve all heard his story and are familiar with his past, but what about the people that helped make him the fighter and person he is today? I decided to investigate further and head to my old stomping grounds in Richmond (a area of Vancouver), Britsh Columbia, Canada.

New Era Athletics is a very special place for the Rabbit-Punch.net team. I consider myself a lifetime fan of the combat sports, but when I actually started training in the arts of Muay Thai, Boxing, BJJ, and Arnis, my respect for the arts grew to even greater heights! Thanks to Kru Judd Skinner at New Era, I even had the opportunity to meet legendary fighters like MMA grappling legend “The Westside Stragler” Chris Brennan and even train with one of my all time favorite fighters in K-1, Michael “The Black Sniper” McDonald. I have nothing but fond experiences from being at that gym, so you can imagine the excitement I felt when I heard Manny Pacquaio’s former coach is now the Boxing coach at New Era. I jumped at the opportunity from Kru Judd when I was invited to their new gym in Richmond to speak to Jackie Mondajar.

For those not familiar, Jackie Mondajar is the son of Lito Mondajar, legendary coach and manager of many Filipino World Champions. Aside from Manny Pacquiao, their family has helped build six world champions with names like Pedro Adigue, Erbito Salavarria, Tacy Macalos, and Ernie Catalunia. I sit down with Jackie and we talk about Manny Pacquiao in his early days, his feelings towards Freddie Roach, Manny’s Muay Thai past, and we even talk a bit about golf accessories. This is a must see interview for any Manny Pacquiao fans and fans of boxing. So grab your favorite beverage, maybe a few snacks, and enjoy this very candid discussion.

Jride wrote:Really good interview bro.

I enjoyed it. You should get in contact with more people in the MMA/Boxing/Kickboxing world for video interviews.

CanadianAssault wrote:wow what a Gnarly Interview dude! never new the son of a boxing coach who was Mannys coach lived here!!!

I finally have a job n shit I was thinking of signing up for boxing, how is the boxing at new era?

CanadianAssault wrote:working with my step dad putting in hardwood floors n stuff. its only part time tho, when they need me so it works great for me.