Broner, who lost a unanimous decision to Pacquiao in 2019, was asked for his view on the proposed return fight.
“I think it’s going to serve a purpose; it’s going to be a great fight to watch. Pacquiao’s definitely coming to fight, and it’s going to be an exciting fight,” said Broner to HeadBussinBoxing.
“I still don’t think he can beat Floyd no matter what, but I can’t wait to see it.”
In Mayweather’s recent outings, particularly against John Gotti III, he still has the ring generalship, but the reflexes and defensive style he relied on for decades require elite twitch speed. If that’s gone, he’s just a stationary target for a guy like Pacquiao who still has that high-volume engine.
If this were to be a sanctioned, 12-round professional fight, the advantages shift heavily in Manny’s favor. Pacquiao’s performance against Mario Barrios showed he can still navigate championship distance. Floyd hasn’t seen the 10th, 11th, or 12th round since 2015. At his age, the “wall” comes much earlier.
Pacquiao has also been the more active fighter in recent years. He went 12 rounds with Mario Barrios last July, while Mayweather has largely stayed in the exhibition lane. Broner still believes recent activity would not solve the same tactical issues Pacquiao faced in their first meeting in 2015.
Mayweather, 49, has looked flat-footed in recent exhibitions in 2024 and 2023. In boxing, speed is the first thing to go, and while Pacquiao has slowed down, too, his hand speed is still significantly higher than Floyd’s current cruising speed.
If it’s an exhibition, a knockout doesn’t count. If it’s professional, a loss ruins the “TBE” 50-0 marketing machine that Floyd has built his entire post-career identity around.
That first Mayweath-Pacquiao fight drew criticism for lacking action, but Broner expects a different tone this time because Pacquiao is likely to press from the start. He simply does not see a different winner.
Broner has always styled himself as a Mayweather protégé, so his loyalty likely colors his analysis. He’s looking at the 2015 version of Mayweather, the defensive wizard, and assuming that high boxing IQ can overcome the physical decline.
However, IQ doesn’t matter if your feet can’t get you out of the corner or your hands can’t beat the other guy to the punch. If Manny forces a high-intensity pace, Floyd’s legs might not be there to bail him out like they were a decade ago.
