Manny Pacquiao goes hard in sparring as training rolls on for Broner fight

Manny Pacquiao lands a solid hit to his sparring partner’s face. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao isn’t slowing down on his preparations for his title defense against American Adrien Broner.

Boxing’s only eight-division World champion schooled three of his sparring mates on Saturday at Wild Card Boxing Gym—the house where he built his legacy with former head trainer Freddie Roach.

Pacquiao (60-7-2) sparred for a combined 10 rounds against Arnold Gonzalez, Lydell Rhodes, and George Kambosos Jr.

Gonzalez, who suffered a bloodied nose, and Rhodes went three rounds each with Pacquiao, while Kambosos, who owns a 15-0 professional record, fought for four.

Arnold Gonzalez with a bloodied nose. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Pacquiao, 40, will defend his WBA World welterweight title against Broner (33-3-1), who is 11 years his junior, on January 19 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

This will be the first title defense for Pacquiao of his welterweight championship that he took via seventh round technical knockout from Lucas Matthysse on July 15 in Malaysia.

And if Pacquiao’s been steamrolling in his preparation, Broner hasn’t had the same path after he was arrested days before Christmas for a driving-related case.

Broner, who was quickly released, hasn’t won a fight in almost two years after his split decision win against Adrian Granados in a non-title fight in February of 2017.

The American’s last two fights ended in a loss to Mikey Garcia and a draw with Jessie Vargas.