Pacquiao vs Broner: On Reflection

Pacquiao vs Broner: On Reflection

The hands don’t blur quite like they once did, the timing might now be a little off and the gas tank empties a little bit quicker, but even at 40, Manny Pacquiao is still good enough to beat the likes of Adrien Broner.

The judges scored his Las Vegas fight with Broner 117-111, 116-112 116-112 which was a fair reflection of Pacquiao’s dominance over his much younger opponent, although I had it a little wider at 118-110.

The one-sided victory over the American gives Pacquiao some hope that he can now tempt Floyd Mayweather out of retirement for a rematch of their 2015 ‘Fight of the Century’

Mayweather was ringside on Saturday night on his own personal scouting mission, and if Mayweather can’t find another MMA star to add to his millions, then Pacquiao may well get his wish.

The performance of Pacquiao was adequate, workmanlike but not sensational, the sort of performance that might just do the trick and tempt Mayweather into a proper comeback.

The risks will be evaluated, the danger assessed, the numbers added up, and if Mayweather likes what he sees then it’s distinctly possible we will see the rematch. Although an eye injury Pacquiao suffered in the Broner fight might well delay any immediate plans.

After all the waiting and the build-up the first time around, the first fight was largely underwhelming. With both now a little older and slower, a rematch might be a lot better fight than it was in on that May night, even if the anticipation and the importance are now considerably lower.

Fighters often by the sheer nature of the sport they choose to participate in, will often vigorously defend themselves, often against the indefensible. But Broner saying he won the fight takes it to another level.

Self-confidence, belief is one thing but you need a little self-reflection, an honest assessment of yourself and a willingness to change. Broner doesn’t seem as though he wants to change or maybe feels no need to, or maybe its a simple case of that he can’t.

Broner clearly lost the fight, and him saying anything different lowers whatever credibility he has left. Broner isn’t a bad fighter by any means, but the initial hype and his own words leave a perception of under achievement.

The recent years have seen Broner find his true level and no win in his last 3 fights leaves him with a long road back.

Broner was there for a specific reason on Saturday night, an opponent with a name but posing little risk to what may lay ahead for Pacquiao.

Boxing can be cynical at times, Amir Khan hasn’t earned a shot at Terrence Crawford, there is a reason why he has been picked. Broner might now find his role going forward is very much of being the big name but a distinctly beatable opponent.