Manny Pacquiao: Why I’m Fighting Broner, Not Mayweather, In Return To U.S. Arena
By Barry Janoff
November 19, 2018: There has been a lot of attention this month on Floyd Mayweather Jr., whose on-off-maybe-on matches-exhibitions-bouts in Japan brought his 2015 bout with Manny Pacquiao — and a potential rematch — into the spotlight.
Pacquiao has confirmed his next fight, but not with Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion, will end his two-year hiatus from boxing in the U.S. (due to a situation with the IRS, according to boxing analysts) when he returns to Las Vegas to defend his World Boxing Association welterweight world title against former four-division world champion Adrien "The Problem" Broner.
The Pacquiao vs. Broner bout is scheduled for Jan. 19 in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas.
Pacquiao (39, 60-7-2, 39 KOs) vs. Broner (29, 33-3-1, 24 KOs) and its co-main event fights will be produced and distributed live by Showtime PPV and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
“There is a very shortlist of ‘must-see’ fighters among active fighters and these two fighters are at the top of the list,” Stephen Espinoza, president of sports and event programming for Showtime Networks, said during a media event in New York today. (Another press event is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on Tuesday.)
“We’d like to welcome Manny Pacquiao back to Showtime and back to the U.S. These two fighters are perennial draws at the box office and in the streets. They are two of the most widely-known boxers and two of the most talented, athletically gifted fighters in the sport. I guarantee this will be an exciting fight. There will be plenty of action for the fans.”
Financial details were not revealed, but they will not come close to the number that industry analysts were floating about regarding a Mayweather Jr.-Pacquiao rematch, upward of if not surpassing $400 million.
When asked why he was coming back, Pacquiao offered, ”To prove that Manny Pacquiao is still in boxing. My career in boxing continues. My journey in boxing continues.”
Why Broner versus Mayweather Jr.? "I chose Broner as my next opponent because I believe we will have a good fight. He is a high-calibre fighter and boxer. I can not underestimate him.”
This past September, Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao “accidentally” met in Japan during the Soca Weekend Music Festival in Tokyo, during which Mayweather Jr. boasted, “I’m coming back to fight Manny Pacquiao this year. Another nine figure payday on the way.”
Mayweather Jr. recently unveiled a series of bouts in Japan against MMA fighters — a tactic he followed in 2017 when he faced UFC-fighter-turned-boxer Conor McGregor. Mayweather Jr. has since disavowed those Japan MMA fights, but hinted that big-money MMA exhibitions might still take place.
As for Pacquiao regarding Mayweather Jr..
“When Floyd and I met in Japan, we talked about . . . he said, ‘Come out of retirement to fight me. To challenge me,’" Pacquiao said during the media event. “I told him, ‘I have the belt. You have to come out of retirement to challenge me.’ In that situation, he was trying to bully me . . . If he wants to come out of retirement, after this fight (with Broner), we’ll see.
“I am doing this fight first before we talk about a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
Broner himself was agitated when asked about a potential Mayweather Jr.-Pacquiao rematch.
“No disrespect to Floyd, but he (Pacquiao) ain’t fighting Floyd,” said Broner. “He has to get past me first. Why are you talking about that? I’m fighting Pacquiao. You might get punched!”
Tickets to the Pacquiao vs. Broner fight go on sale Nov. 24. Tickets are priced at $1,500, $1,000, $750, $500, $300, $200 and $100, not including applicable service charges.
The fight is being promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with About Billions Promotions.
PHOTOS COURTESY SHOWTIME
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