Life begins at 40
Old master Manny Pacquiao schools Adrien Broner then calls out Floyd Mayweather for rematch
Filipino boxing icon, 40, was simply busier than Broner, who came into the fight 11 years younger than the champion
MANNY PACQUIAO proved age is just a number after easing past Adrien Broner - then called out fellow veteran Floyd Mayweather for a rematch between the two ring legends.
Pacquiao showed he is not only a far superior boxer to Broner - who is 11 years his junior - but he is also much smarter.
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Defending his WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title, Pacquiao made a fast start, possibly too eager to impress the American audience who he had not boxed in front of since November 2016.
Although aggressive and albeit landing, Pacman often found himself lunging in, though Broner just did not seem able to make the champion pay.
Pacquaio pushed forward throwing in bunches, the perfect tactic against a counter-puncher like Broner.
After stealing the rounds through pressure and volume punching, the Filipino really established his jab after the opening three rounds which allowed his famous left hand to come into play.
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Broner threatened with rapid counter punches, though his uppercuts and left hooks found themselves just grazing past the chin of Pacquiao.
At the end of round six, a session Pacquaio widely controlled, Broner landed a sublime right uppercut followed by a left hook.
The flashy combination was the perfect analogy of Broner’s overall career - he clearly has the skill many others don't, but he showcases this too rarely or in a capacity where it will be overshadowed by lazy work beforehand.
In the middle sessions Broner began to shoot out his favoured straight right hand, but instead of following up his good work he allowed Pacquaio to get back on the front foot and steal the rounds.
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Pacquiao put his first dent in Broner with a left hand in round seven that forced the Cincinnati native on to the ropes, though he defended well and evaded any further onslaughts.
After being dealt with his first major setback in round seven, Broner replied by spending the eighth dancing around the ring, occasionally whipping out a jab or lead right while out of range.
In round nine Broner once again tasted Pacquio’s left glove, before being sent reeling backwards as Pacman landed a huge rear hand that almost floored his opponent.
Pacquaio had Broner hurt, but to the American’s credit he once again defended well and took shots from the champion while squeezing himself out of trouble.
In round ten Broner began to commit to his punches more, but by then it was already predicted as another case of too little too late for the 29-year-old.
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For the final two rounds Broner seemed more concerned about checking the clock than trying to win the world title, as Pacquiao once again pegged the challenger back by letting his hands go.
With no real surprise, Pacquiao was handed the unanimous decision victory as the 40-year-old claimed he is still not yet willing to hang up his gloves after his 70th career ringwalk.
Pacquiao said: "I felt so happy. I did my best in training and in the fight, I thank god for this.
“I’m so happy because god gave me this good health, at the age of 40 I can still give my best.
“I don’t believe my career is over, in my last fight I proved it and tonight I proved it again - Manny Pacquiao’s journey is still continuing.
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Even entering this fight, Pacquiao was surrounded with what could be next - with a rematch against Floyd Mayweather the most commonly suggested.
After the win, with Mayweather in attendance, Pacman reinstated his desire to have one more crack at the American, who beat Pacquiao on points in May 2015.
Pacquiao added: “Tell him to come back in the ring and we will fight. I’m willing to fight Mayweather again.”
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