Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao (R) fights Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse during their world welterweight boxing championship bout at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 15, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Mohd RASFAN
MANILA, Philippines — Adrien Broner hasn’t been stopped through 38 professional fights but that streak could be in jeopardy against Manny Pacquiao in their welterweight title fight on January 19.
Pacquiao’s sparring partner George Kambosos believes the Filipino ring superstar still has the punching power to deal Broner his first knockout loss.
“If someone’s gonna knock Broner out, Manny can do it,” Kambosos, who has sparred with Pacquiao for more than 100 rounds since the Jeff Horn bout, told INQUIRER.net Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Broner has lost only thrice—all by unanimous decision—against Marcos Maidana, Shawn Porter and Mikey Garcia.
Maidana decked Broner twice and nearly knocked him out several times throughout their fight in 2013.
Kambosos, a feisty undefeated lightweight prospect primed for a world title shot, has no doubt Pacquiao will beat Broner but added the four-division champion won’t go down quietly.
“I expect Manny to win every round, win convincingly,” he said.
“It’s not an easy fight. Broner is a hell of a fighter, a good boxer and he’s training very, very hard for this fight. This is an opportunity for him to push his career back up. He needs this win but Manny understands that.”
Pacquiao, who ended his knockout drought with seventh-round stoppage of Lucas Matthysse five months ago to win the WBA welterweight title, skipped Tuesday’s training to rest after a busy day in Senate.
Pacquiao, who turns 40 on Monday, is expected to get more rounds of sparring on Wednesday before leaving for General Santos on Thursday to continue his training camp.