Broner to fight with caution

MANNY Pacquiao (left) and Adrien Broner face off at a news conference in New York. Pacquiao will defend his World Boxing Association welterweight title against Broner on 19 January in Las Vegas. (AP photo)

Manny Pacquiao doesn’t expect his World Boxing Association welterweight title fight this Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to turn into a street-style, all-out brawl.

The Filipino slugger said he sees Broner fighting with more care and caution, knowing that one punch can knock him off.

After all, Pacquiao already did it against the world’s best boxers like Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto in memorable matches that made him boxing’s most feared knockout artist.

And Pacquiao knows that Broner isn’t stupid enough to come charging right at the opening bell.

“I don’t think so,” said the eight-division world champion, knowing that Broner will fight him toe to toe from start to finish.

“He will counter me. That’s for sure,” he said.

Broner said he doesn’t have to be fearless to stop Pacquiao.

All he needs is patience — and one perfectly landed punch — to emerge victorious.

And his strategy will be pretty similar to what Juan Manuel Marquez, a known counter-puncher, did when he sent Pacquiao to the canvass in the sixth round of their 2012 encounter.