Viva Promotions chief Brendan Gibbons slowly stepping out of his famous dad's shadow
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 01 Jun 2025
Brendan Gibbons (R) and world champ Pedro Taduran.
CHICAGO -- A dynasty is a pompous term that the modest Sean Gibbons was quick to dismiss after he and his son Brandan, the president of Viva Promotions, collected three world championships for their respective stables last week.
Regardless of the label, whatever the Gibbons are building in boxing certainly looks like a winning brand.
Filipino boxing fans know Gibbons largely as the president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions (MPP), "the mechanic," and kingmaker of Filipino champions such as Jerwin Ancajas, Mark Magsayo and Marlon Tapales to name a few.
But Gibbons is more than just Manny's go-to guy. Before he got sucked in the blender of "Pacquiao Mania" the former fighter was already an established international promoter, manager and matchmaker.
GIBBONS AND MPP ARE A MARRIAGE MADE IN BOXING HEAVEN.
Under his watch, MPP has built an assembly-line of world-class fighters, creating an atmosphere for Filipino fighters to shine on the international stage while making fortunes to support their dreams and loved ones.
Sean Gibbons (R) with Manny Pacquiao.
Besides being MPP prez, Gibbons wears another hat as the president of Knucklehead Boxing, an outfit that has tentacles across the globe.
Instead of just waiting for his dad to hand him the keys to the kingdom, Brendan, with the guidance and shared knowledge from pops, slowly built his own company -- Viva Promotions.
This past week, the Gibbons' warriors racked up victories like balls on a billiards table.
Their run began last Saturday in Mexico where Pacquiao-promoted Willibaldo Garcia eked out a slim split decision win over Rene Calixto Bibiano to annex the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight diadem.
TRIPLE CROWN.
A mere hours later on the other side of the universe, Brendan oversaw Pedro Taduran's successful defense of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimum weight title by outlasting Ginjiro Shigeoka in Osaka., Japan.
The Gibbons then completed the hat trick four days later when Mexico's Eduardo "Sugar" Nunez claimed the vacant IBF super featherweight belt by beating Japanese Masanori Rishiiki in Yokohama.
Brendan Gibbons poses with world champ Eduardo Nunez.
Strange things have happened in boxing's colored history over the years. But I can't recall a string of meaningful triumphs from a father-and-son duo that the Gibbons have pulled off.
Three titles in four days across two continents.
"All glory and credit goes to the fighters," Gibbons told SPIN.ph while thanking his partners at BXSTRS, Juan Carlos Torres and Promociones del Pueblo led by Oswaldo Kuchle and Matchroom.
It's hard to describe such a unique, unequaled feat, but one word might suffice.
Viva!!!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Alicaba to fight for WBC Asian Continental super fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025DAY TWO: STARBOY MANAS STEALS THE SHOW AS TEAM ASIA EXTENDS PERFECT RUN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS INTRODUCES CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND VICE PRESIDENT TONY COHEN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Joseph Subia Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Sirimongkhol, Midgley Make Weight for WBF World Title in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 17 Oct 2025ICTSI South Pacific on Oct. 28-31
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Oct 2025PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART II)
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 17 Oct 2025California Commission Backs Dana White’s ‘American Boxing Revival’ and Expanded Muhammad Ali Act
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 17 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS PRESENTS “COUNTDOWN TO THRILLA IN MANILA” AND “THRILLA IN MANILA 50”
Fri, 17 Oct 2025Rafael Espinoza-Arnold Khegai Featherweight World Title Showdown Set for Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Fri, 17 Oct 2025Irish welterweight contender Paddy Donovan Positioned for another World title shot
Fri, 17 Oct 2025DAY ONE: TEAM ASIA LAUNCHES TITLE DEFENCE WITH DOMINANT WHITEWASH AS AJ ‘STARBOY’ MANAS SHINES
Fri, 17 Oct 2025CONNOR MITCHELL SIGNS FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AND DREAMS OF SURPASSING HIS LEGENDARY FATHER
Fri, 17 Oct 2025CONWAY-LIDDARD YORK HALL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
Thu, 16 Oct 2025PR Run - Break Your Record on Oct. 19
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 16 Oct 2025