PACQUIAO V BRONER - AGE AIN'T NOTHING BUT A NUMBER
Manny Pacquiao (60-7-2) is ready to demonstrate that age is just a number as he takes on Adrian Broner (33-3-1) in Las Vegas this weekend.
In what will be his 70th fight, the Pacman will defend his WBA world welterweight title against 29-year old Broner. Pacquiao is hot off the heels of his 2018 world title bout with Lucas Matthysse, culminating in his first knockout since 2009 and extending his record to 60 wins since beginning his career as an amateur over 24 years ago.
Speaking in the final press conference before the fight, Pacquiao was raring to go as he explains that despite his age, he is in the best shape of his life.
Manny Pacquiao (60-7-2) and Adrian Broner (33-3-1) at the final weigh-in on Friday
‘The knockout in my last fight felt good. It felt like my younger days against Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and others.,’ enthused Pacquiao ‘That fight was a big challenge for me to recover from the fight against Jeff Horn. People said that my career was done. But I never got discouraged, I just worked hard and made the knockout against Lucas Matthysse happen’
This is a challenge because it is my first fight as a 40-year-old. I have something to prove to everyone about what that means. Age is just a number. What matters is how you prepare and that you’re working hard’
Broner’s return to the light welterweight division has proved lacklustre, with his past two fights resulting in a 2017 loss to WBC lightweight champion Mikey Garcia, and a majority draw against fellow American Jessie Vargas in April 2018.
Pacquiao beats Lucas Matthysse (39-4-0) by TKO in the 7th round
For former superstar-in-the-making Broner, this is a defining fight in his career. A controversial figure - nicknamed ‘The Problem’ - he is routinely overshadowed by his antics away from the ring. From flushing dollar bills down the toilet, racist remarks towards Pacquiao’s camp, and numerous assault cases the American will need a big result to repair his reputation.
“I just have to go out and win this fight, then everything is going to start going my way. Saturday night, I will be victorious. This is a defining moment in my career and it’s going to be one of the biggest nights of my life.
'This is going to be a hell of a fight. I’ve trained so hard and I want everyone to know that I play around a lot, but when that bell rings, I’m going to be ready. I didn’t come here to lose or lay down. I came here to get this victory. Real talk.”
Broner and Vargas (28-2-0) after their majority draw in 2018
Despite the Pacquiao/Broner fight still being two days away, rumours are already growing that Pacquiao could take on Floyd Mayweather in a highly anticipated re-match of their 2015 showdown. Unsurprisingly this shift in focus has not gone down well with Broner, speaking at the press conference he became more agitated each time Mayweather’s name was mentioned,
"People are talking a lot about Pacquiao fighting Floyd Mayweather again, but I’m pretty sure Floyd is retired. I feel like people are trying to throw me to the wolves and overlook me.
'He doesn’t remind me of any past opponents just like I’m not going to remind him of anyone he’s fought. He’s never fought anyone like me. Every fighter has similarities, but truly every fighter is different. If I remind him of Floyd Mayweather, I hope his arm doesn’t hurt after this one."
The fight will be held at MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sat 19th Janurary, and is broadcast on ITV4 from 5am
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