MANILA, Philippines — Adrien Broner said Manny Pacquiao is making a terrible mistake thinking of a rematch with Floyd Mayweather ahead of their Jan. 19 clash.
“He ain’t fighting Floyd. He’s fighting me,” said Broner in New York where he and Pacquiao faced the media at the Gotham Hall.
Pacquiao was asked about the possibility of a rematch with Mayweather, and the Filipino senator responded positively.
Broner took it as Pacquiao taking him lightly.
“He’s gotta get past me first. I’m gonna beat your ass. You worry about Floyd, he’s already beat you brother,” he said.
Pacquiao, dressed in an elegant gray suit, smiled from where he sat. The event was streamed live on YouTube past midnight Monday (Manila time), drawing close to 6,000 viewers.
Earlier, in his turn at the microphone, Pacquiao said he chose to fight the 29-year-old Broner because he’s a “top-caliber fighter.”
Pacquiao, who won the WBA welterweight crown with a TKO win over Lucas Matthysse last July, knows he’s taking a risk facing the ex-champion.
“I chose Broner because we can have a good fight and entertain the fans. Adrien is a top caliber fighter and a good boxer. We cannot underestimate him,” he said.
From New York, the two boxers will head to Los Angeles for the second and last stop of the press tour. Then it’s time to train.