Pacquiao-Broner getting to be a 'must-see' event
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 15 Dec 2018
In his first face-off with Adrien Broner, Manny Pacquiao said his talented but controversial rival had the makings of a born clown. Pacquiao did not intend to be mean but had no choice but counter hard after Broner bragged that he would dismantle Pacquiao in their WBA welterweight title fight.
It was never easy to figure out Broner, 29, listed as a four-division world boxing champion.
The first reports about Broner pictured him as a talented but untamed fighter, with records of violations and run-ins with the law.
In that first meeting with Pacquiao, Broner bearded, was a straying vagrant wrapped tight in a jacket. There would be speculations he was no less than 30 pounds overweight.
It was unthinkable how Broner would be able to trim down and be in shape, with his WBA world welterweight title challenge fast approaching.
He appeared lost, totally out of it.
One chance viewing of Broner?s few past fight on YouTube however provided a clear picture of what kind of boxer he was: supremely talented, tough, unpredictable, creative, a smooth and rhythmic operator.
He had suffered a total of three loses, but has never been stopped.
He owns a record of 24 knockouts in 37 fights.
It would also be bared that Broner could?ve fought Pacquiao in 2016, but negotiations fell through after he demanded an incredibly huge purse.
Manny Pacquiao (L) does the mitts with trainer Buboy Fernandez in General Santos City Friday, Dec. 14, 2108. Photo by Wendell Alinea.
Pacquiao flew home after the press tour in New York and Los Angeles. He wasted no time and started serious training.
Nothing was immediately heard from the Broner camp, if he ever had one. Next they knew he was supposedly deep in training in Florida. There was a video of him swimming and completing a full lap breathless underwater.
Broner?s handlers say he has been putting in work, but there were no specifics.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, has been freely observed working truly hard, jogging in the morning and doing gym work after his busy afternoon Senate chores.
Pacquiao, after celebrating his 40th birthday in General Santos, will next head for Los Angeles on Dec. 22 for the final punishing push.
Broner?s regimen has practically been wrapped in secrecy, while there were those who doubted if he could avoid the temptation to overindulge through the holidays.
Of course, Pacquiao will be the first one to say he won?t be fighting a clown on Jan. 19.
Strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune said Broner, not a bum, will be a very tough test for Pacquiao.
Broner should be able to spring big surprises. He has vowed to pour it all because, he said, he also wanted to be a legend like Pacquiao.
(Birthday race: Former national cycling star Jesus Garcia Jr. will stage a three-category road race in Buenlag, Mangaldan, Pangasinan, on Dec. 18, his 73rd birthday. ?This is very meaningful because I won my first of three Tour of Luzon titles in 1973,? he said. ?Also in thanksgiving to Our Lady of Manaoag that I was able to reach this age.? Prizes, trophies and medals will be awarded.)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Canada High: Mikaela Mayer Wins Unified Super Welterweight Crown
Fri, 31 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Great Virtues of Champions
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 31 Oct 2025‘HAPPY’ HEAVYWEIGHT THOMPSON READY FOR PERO WAR
Fri, 31 Oct 2025Lakers Sale Approved: Mark Walter Takes Majority Stake, Ending Buss Family Era
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 31 Oct 2025SBA Season 2 Kicks Off November 10
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 31 Oct 2025History made twice over
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 31 Oct 2025ORLANDO PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND VIDEO: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID BETWEEN LENIER PERO, JORDAN THOMPSON AND UNDERCARD
Fri, 31 Oct 2025Biado, Magpantay enter last 32 round of Qatar World Cup 10-Ball
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 31 Oct 2025Shaw vs Woodward Return for the 2025 Mosconi Cup!
Fri, 31 Oct 2025Mavericks-Pistons ready for 34th NBA game in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 31 Oct 2025Stars of the show
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 30 Oct 2025CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH 2: REMATCH SEASON SET FOR DECEMBER 13 IN LOS ANGELES
Thu, 30 Oct 2025Carcosia to fight Ogawa in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 30 Oct 2025ERISLANDY LARA VS. JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS STAR-STUDDED PITBULL VS. ROACH PPV UNDERCARD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
Thu, 30 Oct 2025Santiago City in Veraguas, Panama, hosts a historic WBA world championship night
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 30 Oct 2025