Body punches key to Filipino champ Manny Pacquiao’s win

LAS VEGAS – Strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune said WBA welterweight champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s body punches took the starch out of challenger Adrien Broner in their 12-round battle at the MGM Grand Garden Arena last Saturday night.

“I knew as soon as Broner felt Manny’s power, he’d run away,” said Fortune. “That’s the kind of guy he is. I think it was the third or fourth round where Manny whacked him in the body. Then, Broner started to run, go side to side, staying away, avoiding to get hit. Manny didn’t move as much as Broner did because he wanted to engage.”

There was some confusion in Broner’s corner early in the fight when his lead trainer Kevin Cunningham told him to jab and he shot back, saying “I thought I was supposed to counter.” That’s what Pacquiao does to opponents. He leaves them confused and exasperated, wondering what to do next in the face of his relentless attack. For a fighter who’s 40, Pacquiao was incredible, considering Broner is only 29.

The three judges had Pacquiao comfortably ahead. Tim Cheatham, Dave Moretti and Glenn Feldman concurred in scoring the second, third, seventh, ninth and 12th rounds for Pacquiao. In contrast, the three judges agreed in giving only the 10th round to Broner. The younger fighter barely survived the final stanza, dancing away the last few seconds to stay on his feet. Pacquiao was the fresher man down the stretch.    

It was Fortune who said that even if Broner was 100 percent in form, he still wouldn’t beat Pacquiao. At the weigh-in last Friday, Broner scaled 146 1/2 pounds and Pacquiao, 146. For the fight, Pacquiao weighed 149 while Broner refused to get on the scales for another check. A second weigh-in on the morning of the fight is mandatory in the case of IBF championship bouts but optional with the WBA.

Pacquiao said he wants Floyd Mayweather Jr. next but that depends on whether Money is willing to un-retire. Fortune said if Pacquiao had knocked out Broner, Mayweather would probably turn down a rematch. But since Pacquiao won on points, Mayweather might just agree. 

“It’s hard to turn down $100 Million on the table,” said Fortune. “Right now, it doesn’t make sense for anyone to fight Mayweather because he has no belt. Manny has the belt and he’s out there challenging Mayweather. Manny’s the only viable opponent for Mayweather. After what he did to that small Japanese last December, I don’t think Mayweather will ever fight in Asia again. If he wants money, it’s only Manny who can deliver a big purse.”

Fortune said in a rematch, Pacquiao will beat Mayweather now that his right shoulder is in perfect condition. “That could lead to a third fight,” he said. “It would be an interesting scenario. All I know is Manny is thinking of holding his last fight ever in the Philippines. He wants to give back to his countrymen who’ve supported his career for over 20 years. It would be a fitting farewell if Manny fought his last fight in the Philippines. Maybe, in the Philippine Arena where over 55,000 fans can watch Manny in his final fight. That would be awesome.”