MANILA – Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao aims to knockout American opponent Adrien Broner in his WBA welterweight championship defense on Jan. 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao, who turned 40 years old last December, said he plans to end the match as early as possible, just like he did when he knocked out Lucas Matthysse in July, 2018.
“I am not making a prediction but my goal is to knock out Broner,” Pacquiao said. “I am looking for a knockout against Broner. I have to maximize the opportunity. I forgot how much fun winning a fight by knockout was until I stopped Lucas Matthysse.”
He added: “It felt great to win that way and the fans loved it too, so why not try for it again? I have nothing personal against Adrien Broner. This fight is strictly business. He is fun. He makes me laugh. He knows how to sell himself and to sell a fight.”
Pacquiao has been all business since starting his US training camp last month and even went with his regular routine during Christmas and New Year as he aims to score another impressive win.
“He runs like a deer,” said Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune. “No one can keep up with him. That’s the secret to his success – his work ethic and his stamina. He has the strongest foundation of any fighter with whom I’ve worked. His legs and calves still generate more power and speed than younger fighters.”
Trainer Buboy Fernandez also said, “I am very pleased with the training camp Manny has had. His footwork, distance and angles are all coming together nicely.”
Fernandez added: “When he hits the mitts it sounds like an explosion. I have never felt such raw power.”
Pacquiao is set to parade his 60-7-2 win-loss-draw ring record, including 39 stoppage wins, while the 29-year-old Broner has 33-3-1 win-loss-draw slate, with 24 stoppage wins./PN
