At just 16 years old, Calgary native Jacob Pagaling is already making waves in the boxing world, representing his hometown on national and international stages.
Pagaling’s story began at age four when his father, a black belt martial artist, introduced him to taekwondo and Muay Thai.
Pagaling struggled with his weight as a child. At ten, he turned to boxing to shed pounds and improve his health. What started as a recreational activity soon grew into a competitive pursuit.
“When I was 13, I didn’t really expect to come this far in my boxing journey. Things didn’t look the best because I wasn’t really in shape. But I had a dream. I stuck to my high training intensity,” Pagaling told CBC News.
That dedication has paid off. Pagaling is now a three-time provincial champion and has clinched the national title. He’s competed in international tournaments, bringing home many medals and belts.
His success is a source of pride for Calgary and the broader region, showcasing the talent and determination that can be grown in local communities.
Terry Coveney, head coach at the Calgary Boxing Club, sees something special in Pagaling.
“I’ve always had good fighters over the years, but this kid’s something special. He’s got all the necessary ingredients. He’s got good parental support, which is huge in this game,” explained Coveney.
Coveney took Pagaling under his wing and trained the young athlete since he was 13. It didn’t take long for Pagaling to reveal himself as a boxing prodigy.
His talent was made clear during a match with a boy the same age as him from another gym. According to Coveney, the difference between the two was night and day.
“I said, ‘Please, don’t go hard with him.’ Right? He listened. The referee stopped the contest in the second round,” recalled Coveney.
Of the thousands of kids Coveney has trained, none have shone as bright as Pagaling. Coveney believes the talented boxer can someday represent Canada at the Olympics.
“Three years maybe, I’d say he’d be on the Olympic team. And he’s tough to beat, he’s got a good chin, he’s got fast hands, he’s a hard puncher, always fit. I think that the sky’s the limit for him,” he said.
Putting In The Work
Stories like Pagaling’s demonstrate how community support and dedication can open doors for young athletes. However, much of his success comes from the hard work he puts in every day.
The young boxer’s intense training schedule includes early morning strength conditioning followed by a three to five-mile run.
By midday, Pagaling does callisthenics and shadowboxing. In the evening, he rounds out his day with skill drills, technical sparring, hard sparring, and punching bag work at his boxing gym.
Pagaling’s dedication to training is fueled by the support he receives from his family.
“As I was putting in the work, they were also putting in work behind the scenes. Every day they remind me that I could be something great if I really put my mind to it. That’s what drove me,” said Pagaling.
Pagaling has his sights set high, stating, “I’m reaching for it, really, to cement myself in the history books like Manny Pacquiao.”
In professional boxing, Manny Pacquiao is undoubtedly one of the best boxers the world has ever seen.
At just 16 years old, Pagaling has a long road ahead to reach the same heights. His first step is collecting amateur boxing accolades before pursuing a professional career.
With internet celebrities like Logan Paul, Jake Paul, and KSI claiming a stake in the boxing scene, the sport has never been more popular, especially among youths like Pagaling.
Even if these celebrities aren’t the most outstanding role models or boxers, they have motivated youths worldwide not just to watch the sport but actually to try boxing, too.
Boxing is especially popular in Alberta. Earlier this year, hundreds of Canadian boxers, including many Albertans, flocked to the Genesis Centre in Calgary for the 2024 Canada Cup.
Many of our province’s athletes at the event walked away with medals. Pagaling wasn’t at the event, but we are confident he would have walked away with quite the medal count.
As he continues to represent Calgary on the national and international stage, Jacob Pagaling isn’t just fighting for titles – he’s fighting to inspire a new generation, even if he doesn’t know it yet.
