Adrien Broner Plans to Exploit Manny Pacquiao's Weaknesses

Adrien Broner was in rare form during a November press conference in New York City.

Broner was busy lampooning Manny Pacquiao’s ability to do “great things,” counting “planking” among those accomplishments. 

Planking is the term for lying down, face-first. That’s what happened to Pacquiao in December 2012, when he was knocked out by a single right from Juan Manuel Marquez.

Broner, (33-3-1, 24 KOs), says a similar fate awaits “Pacman” when they square off tomorrow night at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Showtime PPV (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT).

“Counter-punching will definitely play a big part against a left-hander like Pacquiao,” said Broner, 29, who is 6-0 with five knockouts against southpaws. “But we’ve got some more gifts to beat Pacquiao, and I will show that on January 19.”
 
One of Broner’s signature performances occurred in November 2012, when he dethroned 135-pound lefty Antonio DeMarco to win the WBC title. DeMarco was undone by a brutal left uppercut, a triumph that earned Broner his second crown in as many divisions.

Broner’s speed and power reduced DeMarco’s face to a bruised, swollen mess; he out-landed him 241 to 93, including 216 power shots. 

"Timing and speed beats everything, and everybody knows I’ve got great timing,” said Broner, during an interview with FightHype.com. "It’s proven you don’t have to throw a lot of punches to beat Manny Pacquiao. I may only have to throw one, and that motherf***** will go to sleep. He’s been asleep before."

“We want to Manny to do what Manny always does. If Manny do what Manny does, it’s going to be a great night for A.B.,” said Kevin Cunningham, Broner’s trainer. “Anybody who watches Manny knows what he does. He does it every fight. He don’t make too many adjustments.

"He’s the same fighter every time out. He’s aggressive and everybody talks about the volume punching. It plays into what we want him to do. If the knockout comes, we’ll take it. If he can take the whooping for 12 rounds, we’re prepared to give it to him.”
 

“ I know what’s at stake. A win over Pacquiao can take my career somewhere that I can only dream of. ” Four-division World Champion, Adrien Broner

Even so, that may work against Broner. The former four-division titlist was out-worked in losses to Marcos Maidana, Shawn Porter, Mikey Garcia and in a draw with Jessie Vargas. Broner vows to be busier against Pacquiao.

“The difference between me then and now is my dedication to the sport. It was different for this camp,” said Broner. “I know what’s at stake. A win over Pacquiao can take my career somewhere that I can only dream of. I have to take it serious. I really just feel like it’s my time.”

Both Broner and Pacquiao share a common opponent in Vargas. Broner had an edge in power shots (152-to-141) against Vargas last April, who was out-landed by Pacquiao in total punches (147-to-104) and power shots (101-to-70) when they fought in November 2016.

“Adrien Broner does have counterpunching ability to catch Manny Pacquiao coming in, which may be dangerous for Manny,” noted Vargas. “If he’s able to counter punch with the right hand, repeatedly, that’s a key for him in the fight.

“I don’t see Broner having knockout power, but if he earns Manny’s respect early, that’s an opportunity to win. Where Marquez counters from distance, Broner does it from middle-distance; willing to take chances and punishment in order to give it and land his own punches.”

The 40-year-old Pacquiao, (60-7-2, 39 KOs), claims he’s keenly aware of Broner's strategy, coming off July's title-winning, seventh-round TKO of Lucas Matthysse.

“I know Adrien Broner will wait for me and counter like Marquez did and they expect to do what Marquez did. I still have killer instinct, the fire in my eyes, the aggressiveness, speed and power," said Pacquiao.

"Adrien Broner moves fast and he’s a good boxer, but I’m prepared for that. [Marquez] will not happen again. I learned from the past. I have to correct my mistake. We are not worried.”

Broner believes he should be.

“The knockout is good but I'm definitely just going for the win,” he said. “I just want to win, point blank, period. Who doesn't want to knock someone out? But, you know, things will unravel on January 19.”

For a closer look at Pacquiao vs Broner, check out our fight page.