By Edward Chaykovsky
Former four division world champion Adrien 'The Problem' Broner (32-2, 24 KOs) is looking for a big fight after being released from jail after a 30 day stint for contempt.
If Broner was able to select his next opponent, he would pick eight division king Manny Pacquiao (58-6, 38 KOs).
Pacquiao is returning to the ring on November 5th at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The selected opponent is WBO welterweight world champion Jessie Vargas.
Broner was actually the frontrunner to Pacquiao, who announced his ring return after a very brief retirement stint. Discussions took place between Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank and Al Haymon, who manages Broner.
According to Arum, Broner was requesting too much money and his company was unable to guarantee that type of purse. Arum has reportedly stated that Broner was requesting $10 million and rejected an offer of $4 million - which would have been a career high payday for Broner.
Once Broner fell out, Pacquiao selected Vargas over WBC/WBO junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford.
Broner was also being courted by Pacquiao's team at the start of the year for the April pay-per-view. He was passed over in favor of Timothy Bradley, who was decisioned over twelve rounds by the Filipino star.
Broner believes that he would not only beat Pacquiao, but it's very likely that he would hand Manny his first knockout loss since 2012, when Juan Manuel Marquez had him out cold in the sixth round.
"I'd f*** Pacquiao up. In that fight I would have a big possibility of stopping Pacquiao. I can hit with both hands. I can match his speed and I’m a sharper puncher than Pacquiao if you ask me. Where my mind state is right now.... I feel like anybody I get in the ring with right now - I’m going to do damage to,” said Broner to ES News. "Ain't nobody want to see Pacquiao and Jessie Vargas."
