Manny Pacquiao. AP
WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (60-7-2, 39 KOs) will be an overwhelming favorite in his January title defense against Adrien Broner (33-3-1, 24 KOs).
Broner, 29, listed as a former world titlist, is a full decade younger than the legendary fighting Filipino senator, an eight-division world title winner.
Pacquiao will be 40 by the time of the big fight slated at MGM Grand Las Vegas on Jan. 19. Based on their respective records and experience, there could be a brewing mismatch, a big yawn.
Pacquiao and Broner are scheduled for a two-city—New York and Los Angeles—press tour next week.
Before the fight could be announced by Premier Boxing Champions, there were many who wondered if Broner deserved to be on the same stage with Pacquiao.
Freddie Roach said he saw Pacquaio easily outworking Broner; while Jesse Vargas, whom Pacquiao dethroned as WBO welterweight champion in 2016, said Broner was not in the same level with Pacquiao.
Vargas and Broner fought to a draw last April.
The battle-tested Danny Garcia, highly ranked and respected welterweight who, in 2015, stopped the then unbeaten Amir Khan, however, said he’s picking Broner to upset Pacquiao.
“I know a lot of people are picking Pacquiao,” Garcia said. “I’m going for Broner in an upset. He’s younger.”
Nothing much is known about Broner, but he has a reputation for explosiveness; he also appears to be very tough, rugged and untamed.
Garcia, who has fought with the best in his class, including Erik Morales, Robert Guerrero, and Zab Judah, said people might think Pacquiao would easily outwork Broner, but they could be in for a surprise.
“If Broner lands cleaner punches and ups his work rate a little bit, he can win the fight,” Garcia, who lost by decision to Shawn Porter in September for the WBC welterweight title, explained.
Perfect conditioning should prove a key factor in the fight.
Garcia’s only other loss was by split decision in Marh 2017 to highly ranked Keith Thurman who, by the way, sees Broner shining against Pacquiao.
Thurman said he was greatly impressed by how Broner drew with Jesse Vargas.
Broner, unpredictable and aloft, was said to have started working in the gym two weeks ago.
Pacquiao, for his part, was reportedly playing regular night basketball to stay in shape. He’s expected to fly back from California right after the press tour to set up camp.
He can’t afford to squander his limited training time.
Broner will definitely be a lot stronger and tougher than Pacquiao’s last foe, Lucas Matthysse, who was counted out on his knees after repeatedly sinking without being properly hurt or hit.
Broner, without saying a word, promises to be a raging opposite of the disgraced Argentine, who had no choice but exit from boxing after his shameless willing fall in Kuala Lumpur in July.
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