Manny Pacquiao gets date for Adrien Broner bout

Sport360 staff 23:40 19/11/2018
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  • Manny Pacquiao will defend his WBA world welterweight title against Adrien Broner on January 19 in Las Vegas.

    Pacquiao has held world titles in eight divisions from flyweight to light-middleweight and is set to continue his glittering career in what will be his 70th professional contest.

    The 39-year-old had been linked with a return bout against rival Floyd Mayweather as well as a showdown against British fighter Amir Khan, but announced on Twitter he will instead take on Broner.

    Speaking at a press conference in New York, Pacquiao said: “I want entertain people and give a good show on January 19, that’s why I am inviting everyone to come and watch and don’t miss the opportunity for this great and prestigious fight that we are going to do in the ring with Adrien Broner.

    “I know my opponent is fast, he is a high-calibre fighter. We have to work hard and train hard for this fight so that the people will be happy on January 19.

    “I want to fight the greatest fighters and greatest opponents in the world and one of them is Adrien Broner.”

    Pacquiao captured a secondary welterweight crown – Keith Thurman is the WBA’s Super champion – by stopping Lucas Mattysse in the seventh round of their fight in Kuala Lumpur in July.

    That was his first knockout since 2009 and the Filipino improved his record to 60 wins, seven defeats and two draws, but is 5-5 in his last 10 professional contests.

    Broner, a former super-featherweight, lightweight, light-welterweight and welterweight world title holder, was once considered the heir apparent to Mayweather.

    The brash American’s speed and power carried him to a 27-0 record, but he has since lost his way and has suffered three defeats in his last 10 outings.

    He has fought only once this year in a majority draw against Jessie Vargas in April and he was initially respectful of the eight-time world champion in New York.

    Broner said: “I’m really thankful. There were a lot of people who wanted this fight and God blessed me to get it. I guess I am just the chosen one.

    “He’s a future hall-of-famer. It’s going to be a helluva fight. All the things he’s done in this game is unbelievable. I have only got a chance y’all could dream of, I don’t even know how I’m feeling right now.

    “It means a lot to me. A win, I turn a legend overnight.”

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