By Ronnie Nathanielsz
 
Jonel “The Kid Pacquiao” Dapidran is doing light training as he looks forward to flying to Las Vegas to continue serious training under his promotional contract with well-known matchmaker and promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and is looking forward to fighting in the U.S.
 
In a lengthy conversation with the New Standard/BoxingScene.com, Dapidran said his promotional contract with Lewkowicz was valid since it was also signed by his parents unlike the managerial contract with Nonoy Neri which his parents didn’t know about since he "didn’t even tell them."
 
Dapidran, who is 17 years old, said he signed the contract in the gym in Davao with matchmaker Joven Jimenez and underscored the fact that Neri was not even there at the signing.
 
He said he left the gym sometime in January and despite his request for a copy of the contract, the Games and Amusements Board did not accede to his request.
 
The young fighter claimed he filed a complaint with the GAB regarding the Neri contract but after two months without action before he was “informed by the secretary  of boxing division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz that his complaint had been dismissed.”
 
Dapidran also claimed that when he informed Neri he was leaving the Davao Gym and wanted to “take a rest” Neri replied “I don’t care where you go.”
 
He said he visited eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao whom he looks up to and “asked permission” and that Pacquiao told him he could “sign up with any promoter. It’ s no problem. I’ll take care and give you a release” since Neri apparently signed him under the MP Promotions banner.
 
Since he had no fights and no income and couldn’t help his family because Neri “abandoned me” Dapidran told us he spoke to veteran trainer Jun Agrabio who suggested that he " talk to Sammy Gello-ani who would help him."
 
Gello-ani is a partner of Lewkowicz who eventually signed up Dapidran and plans to acquire a working visa for the undefeated 135 pound teenager so he could train in Las Vegas along with former IBF light flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero and former flyweight champion Marvin Sonsona  under Agrabio.
 
Dapidran disclosed that he had been advised by Pacquiao who noticed that he was “bigger than me (Manny) not to reduce to make weight and to fight at 140 pounds.”
 
Dapidran  said “I am waiting for the US visa. I’m training every day, running to stay in shape. I am in condition.”