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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 16:  WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (L) and Adrien Broner face off during a news conference at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on January 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will defend his title against Broner on January 19 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.  (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 16: WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (L) and Adrien Broner face off during a news conference at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on January 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will defend his title against Broner on January 19 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Pacquiao vs. Broner 2019: Final Odds and Predictions for Title Fight

Matt JonesJan 19, 2019

Adrien Broner will step into the ring on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for the biggest fight of his career, as he takes on the iconic Manny Pacquiao for the WBA (regular) welterweight title.

For Broner, this will be the first time he has headlined a pay-per-view event, and the bout provides him with a chance to enhance a reputation that has been severely tarnished in recent years. After numerous controversies away from the ring, this is a chance to let his fists do some talking.

Yet even at 40, the Filipino is the favourite for this one, and although he's no longer in his prime, Pacquiao appeared in fine shape when he beat Lucas Matthysse in his previous outing.

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Odds

Pacquiao win: 1-3

Broner win: 9-4

Figures according to OddsShark.

Preview

Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao trains at a boxing gym in Manila on November 27, 2018, ahead of his WBA Welterweight bout title with US boxer Adrien Broner in Las Vegas, on January 19, 2019. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)        (Photo credit should re

For Broner, this event represents a potential springboard on to bigger things, although in the past, he's never been able to seize the moment in marquee fights.

Losses to Marcos Maidana, Shawn Porter and Mikey Garcia sapped his momentum in recent years. In his previous outing, there were some impressive segments from the man known as The Problem, although he could only do enough to secure a majority draw on the scorecards.

That will give him some confidence, and on the brink of the fight, Broner said he's sensed some tension in Pacquiao.

"He don't wanna see me, for real," the 29-year-old said, per Will Esco of Bad Left Hook. "He don't wanna see me. See, what he do is try to smile, but he nervous. He tried to smile his way out of it. He nervous, though. He be trembling."

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 16:  Adrien Broner speaks during a news conference at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on January 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Broner will challenge WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao for his title on January 19 at MGM Grand Ga

Broner has continued to be controversial ahead of this encounter, first letting rip at broadcaster Al Bernstein in a press conference and then making racially motivated remarks to his opponent's camp, as Fox Sports' Mike Coppinger highlighted:

Pacquiao has experienced this type of bluster before, and it's tough to see him being too nervous given this will be the 70th fight of his professional career.

It will be the first time he has competed in Las Vegas in more than two years, with his loss to Jeff Horn staged in Australia and his seventh-round stoppage of Matthysse taking place in Malaysia.

Throughout his career, Pacquiao has always focused on his craft. And heading into the fight, he reminded Broner his attention will be on the sweet science:

While he's in the twilight of his career, many will view this fight against Broner as a stepping stone towards something else for the 40-year-old Filipino. 

As Daniel Matthews of the MailOnline relayed, fresh from his recent exhibition win over Tenshin Nasukawa, it's anticipated Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be at this fight, a move that will fuel speculation regarding a possible rematch of their 2015 clash.

Pacquiao should have enough to get past Broner. While The Problem is talented and quick, his opponent remains a high-class operator despite his advancing years.

Prediction: Pacquiao via unanimous decision.

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