Is Adrien Broner struggling with weight?
Manny Pacquiao, left, listens as Adrien Broner speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Las Vegas. The two are scheduled to fight in a welterweight championship bout on Saturday. (AP Photo/John Locher)
LAS VEGAS—Adrien Broner’s camp has been mum about their ward’s weight issues, something that cropped up early on when Broner made a public appearance looking grossly overweight.
And there’s a general consensus that Broner’s weight woes are the reason why he has been cranky, throwing tantrums all week long.
His camp has refused to say how close the 29-year-old Broner is to meeting the 147 lbs weight limit for the WBA welterweight clash on Saturday at MGM Grand.
But talk has continued to resurface with the weigh-in for the fight nearing. Both fighters tip the scales Friday afternoon at the hotel’s Garden Arena.
Broner has missed weight a couple of times before.
In 2012 he was a full three pounds over the 130-lb limit when he faced Vicente Escovedo. Four years later, Broner had to pay Ashley Theopane $50,000 after he weighed in 140.4 lbs, four-tenths of a pound over the limit of the lightweight title clash.
“Hey I only failed to make the weight twice, but I did it on purpose,” said Broner, who on both occasions moved up one division heavier.
Pacquiao isn’t expected to have troubles on the scales.
Since he started fighting at welterweight 10 years ago, Pacquiao, whose natural weight is 140 lbs, has had little problem making weight. He is known, in fact, to load up on meals during training camp.
Pacquiao said he would like to climb the ring against Broner weighing at least 145 lbs because “I would need the necessary weight on fight night.”
