By Gifford Lee,Editor, Fox Sports Venues magazine & Foxtel Venues Guide magazine
The new year of pay-per-view Sundays on the Main Event channel gets underway for Australian venues this weekend when boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao faces former four-division world champ Adrien Broner for the WBA welterweight title.
It will be the 40-year-old Pacquiao’s 70th professional bout and it comes 24-years after his first. It is rumoured that Pacquiao wants to win against Broner and set up a tantalising rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr which would be massive news for the local pub industry.
But the American Broner will be no easy beat having faced nine other world champions in his star-studded career and he is coming off a draw in his last fight against former two-division world champion Jessie Vargas.
Fox Sports Pay Per View Manager, Japhy Duldig told TheShout: “Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring this Sunday to defend his World Title against the brash, trash-talkin’ and former World Champion Adrien Broner. Since his controversial loss to Australia’s Jeff Horn, the ‘Pac-Man’ returned to the ring in July 2018 and showed his power and speed with a stunning KO win over champion Lucas Matthysse to take the WBA welterweight title and further cement his boxing legacy.
“Pacquiao is a name synonymous with world class boxing and big name fights. He has fought in some of the biggest PPV events in Australia with his fights against Mayweather and Jeff Horn in the top tier of the highest ever grossing PPV events.
“He has always had a loyal following in Australia with his entertaining style and charisma filling venues across the country and now with his world title back around his waist he won’t be wanting to lose it to the dangerous Broner.
“Boxing has seen a resurgence in 2018 and this fight is a great way to start 2019.”
Sunday’s fight card gets underway at 1pm AEDT and venues wishing to subscribe should call 1300 138 898 to order or contact their Fox Sports subscription provider.