“I am not making a prediction, but my goal is to knock out Broner” – Manny Pacquiao
On Jan 20 2019, Manny ‘Pac Man’ Pacquiao, boxing’s only 8-division world champion, ends a two year hiatus from U.S. boxing rings at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to fight former four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner. Their fight will headline a SHOWTIME PPV® event and sees Pacquiao put his World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight world title on the line against a fighter nearly 2 decades younger.
The legendary champion holds experience and world records on his side, but Adrien Broner has proven he can take some heavy punches from some of the toughest in the welterweight division - and stay standing. Marcos Maidana, Shawn Porter, Mikey Garcia, John Molina Jr., Daniel Ponce De Leon – none have knocked out ‘The Problem’ in the past.
Will this be the elusive signature win of Broner’s career, or will Manny Pacquiao knock him out and prove that age is just a number?
You can order the fight with OSN and watch it LIVE on Sunday, January 20 at 5AM KSA on OSN Box Office Sports HD. Simply give us a call, or join with our packs.
EXPERIENCE VERSUS YOUTH
Pacquiao: fought professionally 69 times, with a record standing at 60-7-2.
Broner: fought professionally 38 times, with a record standing at 33-3-1
Stats wise, Pacquiao’s experience as a professional boxer is far more superior than Broner’s – without even considering the history of industry accolades and world records for 'Pac Man'. However, is the advantage of experience absolute when speed and power are typically the first variables to wane in older boxers?
By all indications, Pacquiao seems set to use a sharpened skill set and acquired boxing wisdom against his 29-year old opponent and has made it clear he is looking to land a knockout punch for victory. In true Pacquiao fashion, we’d estimate he’ll be looking to overwhelm Broner with his high volume punch attacks, before one victorious KO. If Broner retreats to remaining stationary against the ropes, as we’ve seen him do in previous fights, victory will not be on the cards for the younger boxer – but he seems to be counting on timing to avoid that outcome.
“I think the most important part of beating Manny Pacquiao is throwing punches at the right time,” Broner said. “I don’t care if it comes by a knockout or a decision. A win is a win. For sure, fact. Manny hasn’t been punched by me yet. We shall see on Jan 20”.
Broner has put a lot of emphasis on his timing as part of his strategy and could be looking to catch Manny with a big shot while he’s coming forward – similar to the way Juan Manual Marquez stopped Broner with a big right hand in 2012. But does ‘The Problem’ actually have the power to land that kind of shot? Or will ‘Pac Man’ demonstrate the weight of experience?
ACTIVITY VERSUS PASSIVITY
Another possibility is that Broner will tackle one of the biggest boxing champions in a Mayweather-esque fighting style. Wait for Manny to open up, and bring it home from there. A right straight or a right uppercut after a shoulder roll- parry could cinch the win. Easier said than done, but a passive approach does remain a proven kryptonite if the Pacquiao vs Mayweather 2015 fight is any indication. Floyd Mayweather won using his jab, and well-timed right hands rather than a direct offense.
‘The Problem’ has long touted himself as a younger Floyd Mayweather and this fight will be his chance to prove if he’ll be living up to the claim. If Broner manages to avoid getting holed up on the ropes, he just might avoid a heavy artillery attack from Pacquiao long enough to walk him down.
Power, speed and a clash of styles will be on display in the Pacquiao vs Broner fight, and the outcome will invariably go down in history and change the career of the winner - for better or for worse.
Remember - you can order the fight with OSN and watch it LIVE on Sunday, January 20 at 5AM KSA on OSN Box Office Sports HD. Simply give us a call, or join with our packs.
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