Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will defend his WBA world welterweight title against Adrien Broner on January 19 in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao has held world titles in eight divisions from flyweight to light-middleweight and is set to continue his glittering boxing career in his 70th professional contest.
The 39-year-old had been linked with a return bout against rival Floyd Mayweather, as well as a showdown against British fighter Amir Khan, but announced on Twitter he would instead take on Broner.
Pacquiao captured a secondary welterweight crown - Keith Thurman is the WBA's 'Super Champion' - by stopping Lucas Matthysse in the seventh round of their fight in Kuala Lumpur in July.
The Filipino improved his record to 60 wins, seven defeats and two draws, but is 5-5 in his last 10 professional contests.
Broner, a former super-featherweight, lightweight, light-welterweight and welterweight world titleholder, was once considered the heir apparent to Mayweather.
The brash American's speed and power carried him to 27-0, but he has since lost his way and suffered three defeats in his last 10 outings.
He has fought only once this year - a majority draw against Jessie Vargas in April.
PA
