This weekend’s action is centred around the return of one of the true greats of boxing. Manny Pacquiao – an eight division world champion – returns to the ring against the brash, loud, unpredictable and often unsavoury, Adrien Broner.
In this, his 70th fight inside the professional ring, Pacman will look to defy Father Time once again as he steps into the ring to defend his WBA (regular) strap at welterweight; Broner has mixed it with high-level opposition but has often been found wanting at the highest level.
Broner is eleven years the junior of Pacquiao, and although The Problem has already lost to the likes of Marcos Maidana, Shawn Porter and Mikey Garcia, there is belief in the Broner camp that he can inflict the last defeat on the career of the great Filipino.
Since his controversial loss in Brisbane to the un-fancied Jeff Horn, Pacman bounced back with a stoppage win over the game Lucas Matthysse in a fight that saw him record his first stoppage victory since 2009 – a TKO win over the legendary Miguel Cotto. Matthysse is, and was, a faded force, however, knowing he still has the power to stop an opponent is of great importance for Pacquiao as he comes into his latest fight.
With talks surrounding a rematch with Floyd Mayweather this summer, a win is crucial for the Filipino if he is to keep that fight as relevant as it could be; a loss is expected to see Pacman hang up his gloves – if it is emphatic enough.
Broner has experienced as much trouble with the law as he has inside the ring during his career. His record stands at 33-3-1, with that draw coming in his last outing against Jessie Vargas. His last win came in February 2017; the only notable win on his C.V is arguably Paulie Malignaggi in 2013 – or even Carlos Molina at super lightweight.
Pacquiao’s speed of thought, speed of footwork and hands will cause The Problem problems. Broner has proved he has a good chin, but his willingness to engage could prove his downfall in a fight that looks made for Pacman. Broner’s youth is an advantage not to be slept on in this fight. The American is sure to have pockets of success in the fight against the ageing champion, but is still likely to be outworked.
Footwork will be crucial in this fight; it’s unlikely AB will be able to cope with the constant in and outs of the Filipino. Broner isn’t as light on his feet and may be made to look silly later on in the fight when he begins to get frustrated.
Broner’s chin rules out the KO in my opinion, however, it should be a fairly comfortable night on the scorecards for Pacman.
Manny Pacquiao to win by decision or technical decision @ 11/10 (BetVictor)
