This weekend, Manny Pacquiao makes his return to the ring in the United States with the WBA welterweight title fight against Adrien Broner. Here are the details.
What is it?
Pacquiao makes the first defence of the belt he won last July, when he defeated Argentine Lucas Matthysse by TKO in the seventh round in Kuala Lumpur. That marked Pacquiao's first knockout victory in almost nine years.
Recently turned 40, and one of 24 elected senators in the Philippines, Pacquiao takes on 29-year-old American Broner, who represents a significant threat. Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, has not fought in the US since November 2016. Broner, meanwhile, is a four-division champion.
When is it?
Pacquiao-Broner takes place on Saturday night in the US, but given the time difference, the bout is expected to commence at 9am on Sunday in the UAE.
Where is it?
The fight, the 70th of Pacquiao’s professional career, will be staged at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
How to watch?
Pacquiao-Broner is available in the UAE on OSN Box Office.
Some pre-fight reading/viewing
In the build-up to the fight, The National was granted access to Pacquiao during the first few weeks of his training camp in Manila. It produced a three-part "Beyond the Ropes" series, which looked at Pacquiao the politician, his enduring prowess at 40 and, in an interview with the Filipino star, gathered his thoughts on Broner and beyond. The project provided an accompanying mini-documentary. The series can be found below.
Manny Pacquiao “Beyond the Ropes” series
Part 1: A man who gives hope to the Philippines
Part 2: Turning 40 and no signs of slowing
Part 3: The final chapter - Broner, Mayweather and the fear of going on for too long
