Broner joins Manny lottery

MANILA, Philippines - American Adrien Broner, the current WBA light-welterweight champion, has just joined the Manny Pacquiao lottery.

The 26-year-old Broner is now officially in the short list of possible opponents for Pacquiao on April 9, according to the boxer himself who said he recently got a call from Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz.

“I hear they want me to fight Pacquiao next. Michael Koncz actually called me. We’re waiting to hear from him...I love fighting southpaws, man,” Broner told FightHype.com.

If chosen over the previous candidates, including Tim Bradley and Terence Crawford, the 5-foot-7 Broner, an orthodox, promised a good fight.

“It’ll be a hell of a fight – young rising star against an elite Hall of Famer going out,” he said.

Pacquiao, who just turned 37 last Dec. 17, is taking his time before naming his opponent for what’s being billed as his farewell fight, tentatively set in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao is running for the Senate in the May 11, 2016 Philippine elections, and if successful, he said he will have to devote all his time and energy in serving the people.

Amir Khan, his former training partner, has been stricken off the list of possible opponents.

Bob Arum said the delay in Pacquiao’s announcement is quite a surprise but Koncz said there’s really no rush to name the opponent.

“We will make the announcement when we’re ready,” said Koncz.