Manny Pacquiao has been fully focused on his fight with Adrien Broner but on Thursday the Filipino eight-division world champion still found time to take a subtle jab at Floyd Mayweather.
The fight takes place on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
There has been speculation about a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch ever since Floyd scored a unanimous decision in their 2015 bout that was dubbed “The Fight of the Century” but never lived up to its billing.
Some pundits have even suggested that Pacquiao’s WBA "regular" welterweight title defense against Broner is an ideal tune-up for such a rematch since the 29-year-old American has a defensive style that many experts feel is similar to Mayweather.
“Let me clarify, Adrien Broner is not a tune-up fight. He is a former champion. He is fast and he’s a good boxer,” said Pacquiao. “That’s why I don’t want to talk about my next fight until I finish this business against Adrien Broner.”
While Broner wants to drill Pacquiao in the same manner that Juan Manuel Marquez pulled off in 2012, but Pacquiao says that won't happen.
“I know he is going to counter me but we’re ready for that. What happened in the Juan Manuel Marquez fight will not happen again. It was a mistake and I learned that mistake. We’ve worked on that in this training camp. I am prepared for Broner’s style," Pacquiao said.
“This is a challenge because it is my first fight as a 40-year-old. I have something to prove to everyone about what that means. Age is just a number. What matters is how you prepare and that you’re working hard.
“I don’t need to dislike my opponent to want a knockout. I’m just doing my job in the ring. If the knockout comes, it comes. We’re hoping to have that opportunity Saturday. I have to pressure him to make him open up. Wherever he goes, I’ll be there."
2023-10-22 15:36:25
