Philippine Daily Inquirer

Broner going for clean 7-0 sweep over southpaws

- RECAH TRINIDAD

His camp says Manny Pacquiao, after two weeks of training, has shifted to muscle-building regimen and stamina buildup.

A leg cramp cut short sparring on Saturday, but this was brushed off as insignific­ant.

Pacquiao said there was nothing to worry about, as he had merely run out of vitamin supplement after the Matthysse fight.

They move to General Santos this week, before leaving for Los Angeles for the rigorous final part of preparatio­ns against fourdivisi­on world champion Adrien Broner in Las Vegas on Jan. 19.

———— Broner, a bulging bundle during the press tour in New York and Los Angeles, has been videoed working hard ahead. There was a shot of him doing a lap in the pool, completing a breathless lap underwater.

Niall Doran of Boxing News and Views said Broner must avoid temptation­s through the holidays, overindulg­ence having been his big problem before.

Broner must come super ready for his showdown against the vastly superior, heavily favored Pacquiao.

———— The legendary Roy Jones Jr. has noted that Broner’s only chance was to show up for the world welterweig­ht showdown in superb form.

“Both of them are capable of beating anyone on any given night,” Jones noted. “It depends who comes more motivated.”

Jones predicted Broner would show up ready and motivated “because of what he had been through.”

———— Meanwhile, Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, who initially swore Pacquiao would easily conquer Broner said there’s no doubt whatsoever it would be an easy job for the fighting senator from the Philippine­s.

Strength and conditioni­ng coach Justin Fortune said it should be Pacquiao all the way, no hitches.

There’s overwhelmi­ng confidence in the Pacquiao camp.

———— Last weekend, Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said the talented Broner had got the style and talent to upset Pacquiao.

It was noted that 29-yearold Broner, a four-division world title winner, was a perfect 6-0 over left-handers going into the Pacquiao fight.

Ellerbe said Broner, very motivated, was putting in the work in his Florida camp.

———— “I think he (Pacquiao) can’t beat me,” Broner, 33-3-1, with 24 KOs, declared.

He repeated his earlier vowto make it a perfect 7-0 over southpaws by “dismantlin­g Pacquiao.”

That was amusing to say the least.

Broner, cramming for form, must be seriously prepared and ready to stand up to Pacquiao, who’s expected to hit ferocious peak form after the final punishing push through the holidays in California.

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