Pacquiao, Broner promise to knock each other out
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 21 Nov 2018
Defending World Boxing Association welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and title pretender Adrien Broner on Monday vowed to knock each or out when they face off January 19 for the former?s crown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The soon-to-be 40-year old pride of the Philippines, known not to predict the outcome of his fights in his 23-year prizefighting career, surprisingly deviated from that reputation when, during the kick-off leg of the press tour to hype their confrontation, hinted those who cared listen, including the 29-year-old Cincinnati kid, he intends not to go the 12-round route to keep his title.
?Yes, I still have the knock out power. In fact, I have learned how to develop that and by the grace of God, who has given me this power and with hard work and training, that technique is my weapon for
this fight,? Pacquiao, elegantly dressed in sharp gray suit and tie befitting his position in government as senator, declared.
?I have already accomplished my dream and what I want to accomplish in this sport. I just want to continue in the top of boxing and give honor to my country, ? the only human being in the history of sweet science to win 11 world championships in eight weight divisions added.
Not to be outdone, the challenger, for his part, has this to say: ?I?m not worried about what Manny does. He has to worry about what I?m doing. I have three losses and he has eight. But he has been knocked out three times so we know he can go to sleep.
?Of course I consider Manny one of the elite fighters at 147. The things he?s done in this game are unbelievable. I talk trash, I play but I know on January 19 I have to be on top of my game,? Broner, who attended the news conference held in New York wearing slightly different garb, torn jeans adorned with spangles, a T-shirt and black jacket, said.
?This is his break-out fight to be on the A-side. I know he isn?t trying to look bad. But I?m here to knock him out. I feel like a bum trying to fight for a sandwich, ? Broner vowed.
Pacquiao explained why he chose Boner as his dancing partner atop the ring following his successful return to the 147-pound throne with an impressive seventh round TKO of former WBA titlist Lucas Matthysse of Argentina last July, his first stoppage victory since 2009.
?I chose Broner because we can have a good fight and entertain the fans. Adrien is a top caliber fighter and a good boxer. We cannot underestimate him;? he remarked.
?I just want to prove that I?m still in boxing and my journey in boxing is continuing,? he assured his audience. ?I want to entertain people and give a good show on January 19. You don?t want to miss the opportunity to see this great and prestigious fight in the ring with Adrien Broner.?
Knowing his challenger as a fast and a top caliber fighter, Pacauiao said ?we have to work hard and train hard for this fight so the people will be happy. We will give a good fight for the fans.?
?I can fight at 140 pounds or 147 pounds and I want to fight the biggest fighters in the world and one of those is Adrien Broner. I can fight anybody,? he said, adding, ?I expect more action in the ring, that?s what we want. We don?t talk too much outside the ring but we will do it in the ring.?
Pacquiao also said this comng fight will serve as prelude to a planned rematch with the 50-fight unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr, ?When I met up with Floyd in Japan, we talked and he said he wants to come out of retirement to challenge me.?
?All I know is fighting in the ring and entertaining people. That?s my job. Floyd has come out of retirement and we?ll see after this fight, but we cannot underestimate Broner and this fight. We will discuss anything with Floyd Mayweather after that, ? he narrated.
Pacquiao will be 40 when he enters the ring. It will be the Filipino's 70th fight in a career that began in 1995 and has included titles in weight classes from flyweight to welterweight. He hasn't fought in the United States in two years.
Broner thanked Pacquiao for coming to PBC. ?I?m happy ? there are a lot of people that wanted this fight and God blessed me to get it. I guess I?m just the chosen one. What can I say about Pacquiao, he?s a future Hall of Famer. ?
?I had to call my momma after I looked in the mirror this morning. I had to let her know she has a beautiful son. We finally made it to pay-per-view at 29. I?m the only African-American do to that.
?It?s going to be a hell of a fight. I?m not coming to just pick up a check. I know when I win this fight, there?s more money to come,? quipped Broner.
?This fight means a lot to me. A win and I turn legend overnight. I got the whole hood with me just like he has the whole Philippines with him. I don?t even know how to spell that. But I have the whole hood with me: H-O-O-D.?
?If the knockout comes, it comes. I?m just focused on my win. I?m trying to win in good fashion. I?m going to train my ass off and give it my all,? Broner said.
?This fight is very important from a business standpoint and for About Billions,? he said, ?I?m not only fighting for me, I?m fighting for my family and my kids. It?s the longevity, it?s for after boxing. I have a chance to set myself up so that my kids? kids can live comfortably.?
This early, odds makers have favored Pacquiao. That?s understandable because he is a Hall of Famer with a Hall of Fame resume. But it would be a mistake to overlook Broner in this fight. Broner never backs down from a challenge. He?s never turned down a fight, not against bigger opponents like Shawn Porter, Marcos Maidana, not against the guys that no one wants to fight.
On Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), the two teams fly to Los Angeles the second and last stop of the two-city promotional tour set at the Beverly?s Waldorf Astoria.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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