Manny Pacquiao V Adrien Broner - January 19th, 2019

January 19th, at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, 8 weight division world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao takes on 4 weight world champion Adrian “The Problem” Broner.

http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/6129

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrien_Broner

On paper this is a win for the legendary Manny Pacquiao, however, the 40-year-old Filipino is not the force he was 10-11 years ago when he destroyed such fighters as Ricky Hatton, Oscar DelaHoya, Miguel Cotto, Julius Clotty. Or even 12-13 years ago when he shocked legendary boxers such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Erik Morales. In fact, I suggest Pacquiao has lost significant form since dominating Antonio Margarito in 2010. Moreover, Manny has gone 3-2 in his last 5 fights against average opposition.

Adrien Broner is a step up in class for Pacquiao. Broner is a talented and strong fighter that could pose some problems from the fast yet jaded Manny Pacquiao. If left to operate Broner can power and fiddle his way to a decision, however, if you bully Broner he loses form and interest. Strong, crowding fighters like Shawn Porter, Marcos Maidana, and Mikey Garcia outworked, dominated and bullied their way to decisions over the gifted Broner.

I suggest that the 2019 version of Manny Pacquiao has slipped sufficiently enough that he does not have it in the tank to bully and outwork the naturally bigger and fresher Broner. Manny is going to need to use his considerable speed when darting in and out and stealing points from the less mobile Broner. Does Manny have it in the tank to do this for 12 competitive rounds? Of recent years Pacquiao has suffered from leg cramps in his massive calves.

I can see Pacquiao dating in an out for the first half of the fight, piling up points as he goes, yet Adrian will try to use his advantage in strength, size, and age to slow down the aging fighter. Broner will try to outwork and out strength Manny for a decision or late stoppage.

Outside the ring Adrien Broner is once again in jail, this time being accused of various things. Is this going to affect him or is this just part of his personality? Manny has moved back to his regular coach of Freddie Roach.

Ok my decision: I think this is going to be a tight fight, with maybe a controversial ending. I’ve always considered Adrien to be a talented fighter, yet an ‘on-top’ type of boxer that can be bullied out of his game plan. However, I believe that Manny does not have it in his reserves to be able to bully Broner for 12 rounds. Instead, I feel that Manny will dart in and out and box his way to a tight decision.  115-113 estimate, Pacquiao.


The WBA ‘regular’ title is on the line, which means it’s a nothing title. The real WBA champion is Keith Thurman. Don’t be confused into think this is a world title, it’s not one.