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Philippines, 16 Dec 2025 |
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Coach Marvin Somodio: Full of Life and Punch at 42 By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Fri, 28 Nov 2025  Los Angeles — In a blood sport full of voices, Marvin Somodio has always been the quiet one. At 42, he remains one of the most respected young trainers at the Wild Card Boxing Club, and the man now guiding Emmanuel “Jimuel” Pacquiao, Jr. into his professional debut. He marked his birthday with a line only he could pull off: “Life is too short. I am too short. Therefore, I am life.” It was funny. It was humble. And it was pure Marvin. A Disciple of Freddie Roach Coach Marvin came to Los Angeles in 2012 through Manny Pacquiao’s support and learned the trade the old-school way — by standing beside Freddie Roach every day. He studied Freddie’s sense of balance. He absorbed how Freddie corrected angles. He learned how Freddie made footwork the soul of the gym. Marvin turned those lessons into his own style — calm, detailed, and steady. He has carried them into corners across the world, working with Many Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Ruslan Provodnikov, many promising fighters and now including Jimuel Pacquiao. “Most of what I know, I learned from Freddie. He is my teacher.” From the Mountains of Baguio Marvin comes from Baguio, the mountain city where my father also grew up. The Ilocano traits are unmistakable: quiet strength, humility, and hard work without complaint. As someone who is half Ilocano, I recognize the rhythm instantly — the steady balance, the respect for the craft, the patience that shows up in his voice and in the fighters he builds. A Life Built at Wild Card Los Angeles became the place where Marvin refined his craft and earned the respect of fighters of every style. Inside Wild Card’s demanding atmosphere, he became known not only for his skills, but for being… a good family man…humble to the core…and a friend to anyone who enters the gym. No drama. No ego. Just great work ethic. 
THEIR BIGGEST NIGHT On November 29 at Pechanga Resort Casino, Marvin enters the biggest night — for both fighter and coach. Jimuel Pacquiao makes his professional debut against Brendan Lally, and Marvin leads the corner as chief trainer. For Jimuel, it’s the beginning. For Marvin, it’s a full-circle chapter — the first time a Pacquiao enters a pro ring under his main direction. He didn’t just hold mitts for this camp. He built the foundation: balance in the mind, footwork under pressure, hard work woven into every round. 
He may joke about being short. But the way he carries himself, the way he treats people, and the way he builds fighters from the ground up — that is the true measure. And by that standard, Marvin Somodio doesn’t just stand tall. He lifts everyone around him. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.  |
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