Manny Pacquiao said he’s set to take on Adrien “The Problem” Broner in January 2019. File/Reuters
Manny Pacquiao said he’s set to take on Adrien “The Problem” Broner in January 2019.
Although the deal has yet to be finalized, Pacquiao said he is 90 percent sure about the bout, which is targeted to take place in Las Vegas.
"It's almost final na. It will take place January 12 or 19, but I want it to take place on 12 kasi back to work na ko ng 19," Pacquiao said. "(I'll start training) next week."
Pacquiao was initially thought to be facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a rematch, but Pacquiao said Mayweather is scheduled to fight before the year ends.
He said the rematch will likely be arranged after the Broner fight.
"Floyd is going to fight on December 31 and I'm going to fight January 12. After that, we'll know," he said. "Basta laban lang tayo. He's coming back, we'll discuss it after Broner."
Pacquiao made the announcement during a press conference, in which he was introduced as a new ambassador for International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS) Handa.
ISPS donated $100,000 to Pacquiao's Emmanuel & Jinkee's Foundation.
When asked if he's already signed with Al Haymon, Pacquiao said he's working in partnership with the boxing agent.
"It will be a co-promotion with MP Promotions," said Pacquiao. "Partner kami, magkatrabaho. But I've not yet met with him in person."
Regarding Broner, Pacquiao said he'll do his best to duplicate his emphatic knockout victory over Lucas Matthysse last July.
"If I can finish it earlier than 7 rounds, why not?"
Meanwhile, ISPS welcomes its partnership with Pacquiao.
"ISPS just thoroughly, incredibly grateful that he’s happy to represent us. The values that ISPS carry is about the power of sports, it’s about what sports can give back to the society,” said ISPS representative Midori Miyazaki.
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