Buboy gives Broner 4 rounds
LAS VEGAS – Buboy Fernandez dared to say Monday that Adrien Broner won’t last four rounds against Manny Pacquiao this Saturday at the MGM.
“Did you see the (Ricky) Hatton fight?” Fernandez said.
Fernandez, listed as Pacquiao’s head trainer for this fight, firmly believes that the former is too strong, too fast for Broner.
Hatton, of course, is the reckless pride of Great Britain, who fought Pacquiao for the IBO super-lightweight crown 10 years ago. The fight did not last long – two rounds. Fernandez thinks that Broner, 29, who had won world titles in four weight classes, and had never been knocked out, will suffer the same fate. He was asked how he sees the fight ending.
“Baka gigitna ang referee (The referee might step in),” said Fernandez, hinting of a TKO win for Pacquiao. “Four rounds,” he said, lifting four fingers. During training camp, Fernandez kept telling Pacquiao to go for the early kill. “Engage kaagad (right away). Huwag
na bigyan ng pagkakataon (Don’t give him a chance),” he said at the Wild Card Gym. Pacquiao must not take the risk.
“Kung pwede mo kunin (If he could get it), kunin na sa (first round),” said Pacquiao’s childhood friend.
Fernandez manned the corner in the absence of Freddie Roach when Pacquiao knocked out Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur last July and won the WBA welterweight title.
It marked the first time in nearly nine years that Pacquiao scored a stoppage win. Fernandez can see another one coming.
“Manood ka lang (Just watch),” Fernandez said.