Resisting the word “retirement”, the Filipino Manny Pacquiao believes that at the age of 40 he maintains the punch and speed that led him to win eight world titles, and with this he challenges one of the most controversial boxers, the American Adrien Broner, this Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao, who is also a senator in the Philippines, insisted this week that he still does not see the possibility of ending his career and that after the fight against the so-called “The Problem” he still has gasoline to go after other champions, such as the Mexican American Mikey Garcia.
«This is my first fight at 40 years old and the truth is that my body has not suffered at all from the camp. I’m going fight by fight, but after Broner, we can talk about other rivals. I love boxing and that is why I feel very happy in the run-up to this fight, “Pacquiao told AFP during the week of activities prior to the fight.
Pacquiao (60-7-2) defends against Broner (33-3-1) the welterweight title of the World Boxing Association (WBA) that he snatched from Argentine Lucas Matthysse in July last year in Malaysia, in what will be his first fight in the United States since 2016.
«In my last fight I won by KO and that means that I keep the power in my fists that made me beat great boxers. Of course, I don’t trust Broner, who is a very complicated and strong rival, “said Pacquiao, who will once again have veteran coach Freddy Roach in his corner, with whom he had differences last year after he recommended that he hang up his gloves.
– “The problem” –
His rival in turn was initially called the new face of African-American boxing, however, key defeats against Argentine Marcos Maidana and American Shawn Porter slowed his rise and, later, his problems with the law made him a problematic character.
The last of his arrests took place in December in Florida after failing to attend a summons in court for a millionaire debt with a jewelry store.
«A victory against Pacquiao is necessary to relaunch my career. Everyone gives him as a favorite in this fight, but I am focused on talking less trash and showing that I am a great boxer, “Broner told AFP.
And it is that at the time Broner was even compared to Floyd Mayweather Jr. himself.
“People feel me associating with Floyd, but he is retired and I am current. They haven’t seen the best of me yet. My arsenal is complete and now I have more experience of what I should and should not do in the ring. This fight is the most important of my career. What happened to me has changed my life and now I can say that boxing is simply the energy that keeps me going, “said the nicknamed” The Problem. “
The expectation is also hovering over whether pay-per-view (PPV) events are still really good business, or whether streaming video platforms like DAZN have already taken over boxing.
People want to see good fights. And they know that I can always put on a good show. I do not think that the PPV has died, simply, they have not given them good fights and now that is what they are going to have, “said Pacquiao about it. AFP