Pacman: I’m far from over

Let’s rumble Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao (left) and Adrien Broner are scheduled to fight for the welterweight championship belt today in Las Vegas, Nevada. AP">Let’s rumble Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao (left) and Adrien Broner are scheduled to fight for the welterweight championship belt today in Las Vegas, Nevada. AP

With pride and legacy on the line, Manny Pacquiao defends his World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight crown against Adrien Broner of the United States Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and said he is still looking forward to a couple more successful fights.

Pacquiao, the eight-division champion, showed up in Saturday’s weigh-in looking calm and composed, confident that his 12-round duel with the American 11 years his junior will be done earlier than expected.

He had a feast the last few days and managed to squeeze in a quick workout at the Bones Adams Boxing Gym and UNLV track oval amid concerns that his 40-year-old body might not carry the stress of training ahead of this very crucial fight.

But Pacquiao brushed off all these. He even claimed he’s not ready to hang his gloves and is eyeing to fight two more matches before retirement looms.

He tipped the scales at 146 pounds while Broner quashed rumors won’t make the 147-pound weight and showed up a half-pound below.

“At this age, sometimes you tend to get lazy,” Pacquiao said, flashing a naughty grin. “I’m addicted to exercise.”

Pacquiao is gunning for a massive victory that will not only affirm his status as one of the most important figures in professional boxing but will also shut down critics claiming he’s already in the twilight of his storied career.

Those claims were ignited when a relatively unknown Australian in Jeff Horn eked out a controversial unanimous decision victory to steal his World Boxing Organization welterweight title in 2017.

Pacquiao downed Horn in Round 9 of that fight but referee Mark Nelson still gave him a chance to continue the battle to run away with the win that shocked the world.

After that, Pacquiao opted to take a different direction by not signing with Top Rank Promotions and letting go of trainer Freddie Roach, the Hall of Famer who turned him into a fighting machine.

With his career on the brink, the Filipino slugger bounced back big time as he scored a seventh-round knockout of Lucas Matthysse of Argentina to claim the WBA welterweight title.

It was his first knockout win since sending Miguel Cotto of Mexico to the canvass in 2009, sparking talks that he still has what it takes to battle undefeated American Floyd Mayweather for one last time. Negotiations have reportedly kicked off after both fighters “accidentally” bumped into each other in Tokyo and Los Angeles.

“All the people are saying that I’m already done and over with and couldn’t fight. I want to show them that ‘hey, I’m still here and I’m not too old,’” said Pacquiao, who pumped life into his boxing career by signing up with Premier Boxing Promotions which handles the career of the biggest names in welterweight class including Errol Spence, Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m 40 years old, I still feel young.”

But before thinking about another megabuck fight with Mayweather, Pacquiao has to deal with a bigger problem — Broner.

Broner is coming in as an underrated star.

Who’s got it? Filipinos ring hero Manny Pacquiao and American Adrien Broner give each other the eye during the weigh-in prior to their fight today in Las Vegas, Nevada. AP Multi-titled foe

He had won four world titles in four weight classes to compile 33 wins in 37 fights. He could have been nominated into Hall of Fame with this kind of resumé but he failed to survive the marquee fights.

His biggest win was over Paulie Malignaggi, who was already way past his prime. But against the likes of Marcos Maidana, Shawn Porter and Mikey Garcia, Broner couldn’t pull the trigger, prompting elite boxers to treat him as a second-rate fighter.

“It’s a hell of an opportunity. After I win tomorrow, I’ll be a legend overnight,” said Broner, who is tipped to show up with a style that is very similar to that of Juan Manuel Marquez when he crushed Pacquiao in 2012.

But in the pre-fight press conference, Broner displayed an attitude that made him look like a neighborhood thug than a professional boxer.

“Manny Pacquiao has done a lot for the sport. I’m going to beat him up and have a drink with him afterward. I grew up in boxing and I know what’s going on. It’s a business, but don’t get it twisted; I’m going to dominate to win.”

Broner said when the bell rings, everything will be equal — whether you’re a legend or an underappreciated fighter.