By Adrian Stewart Co

Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is set to defend his World Boxing Association welterweight title this weekend, January 20 (PHL time), at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, said he is not taking his opponent, American boxer Adrien Broner, for granted.

“On a scale of 1 to 10, my rating [of Broner] is 7 to 8,” said the eight-division world boxing champion. “Broner is fast, a good fighter, a former champion – I cannot underestimate him, just like what I do with my previous opponents.”

However, Pacquiao believes he has done enough preparation against the four-division world champion and is excited to be fighting in Las Vegas again.

“I’m getting very excited for Saturday night and I’m ready for Broner,” he said.

Pacquiao also discussed his age and affirmed he is not ready to retire.

“Forty is just a number to me; my sparring partners are in their mid-20s,” the senator explained. “Every day in training camp I have been strong, fresh, and fast – I am not ready to retire.”

“The fact that I work so hard in training is an example [of] my passion for boxing,” he added. “I am always looking for ways to improve.”

The fight will be aired on delay Sunday morning, beginning at 10:00 a.m., on GMA-7 and ESPN-5.

There will also be live coverage on DZBB AM and Barangay LS FM beginning at 9:00 a.m./ASC, WDJ