We examine the story of Adrien Broner.
This Saturday Adrien Broner, the cocky, flamboyant pugilist from Cincinnati, Ohio steps in the ring in friendly territory before a hometown crowd at the Cintas Center.Opposing him is the unheralded but scrappy Adrian Granados.
Some think this ought to be a walkover for the supremely talented Broner. However, Granados is a fighter on the bubble only losing by a hair to some of the best in the division.
Now, Granados is fighting on his biggest stage yet and against his most high-profile opponent. Broner has the most to lose and the most to prove. More than fighting for a place in the upper echelon of the Welterweight division, Broner’s toughest opponent lately has been the man in the mirror, Broner is fighting for respect.
Where it Began
Adrien Jerome Broner was born in Cincinnati, Ohio July 28th, 1989 and like so many other poor and minority children of the inner learned quickly that options for a better life can be few and far between. So, at the tender age of six Broner found his way into a boxing gym.
He grew up idolizing Floyd Mayweather Jr., and has modeled much of his style both in the ring and outside of it in vain as the leader of “The Money Team.”
Broner would have a similar path to stardom as his hero as well. Broner had an outstanding Amateur career, among the best in active American fighters. He finished with a record of 300 wins, just 19 loses. Broner repeated as a National Silver Gloves champion in 2002 and 2003 and was 2005 Junior Olympic Semi-finalist.
Broner would turn pro with an easy win over Allente Davis with a KO in the 1st round in his hometown of Cincinnati on May 31st 2008. Over the next two and a half years Broner would fight 20 times! He finished all but three opponents. This impressive campaign led to a title shot against Daniel Ponce De Leon March 5th, 2011 for the vacant WBO Intercontinental Super Featherweight belt. Broner would eek out a close split decision victory.
Just three months later in June of 2011, Broner went on the road to Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco, Mexico, where he smashed Jason Litzau with a dramatic TKO in the 1st round in arguably Broner’s biggest win at that time, Ring Magazine and the WBC both ranked Litzau above Broner before that stoppage.
Broner and his cheeky grin made it to Prime Time as the main event for HBO’s series Boxing After Dark with the emphatic 3rd round TKO of Martin Vicente Rodriguez to capture the WBO Super Featherweight title on November 26th 2011.
Adrien “The Problem” Broner was now a world champion. He had made his first definitive mark in the sport. However, discipline proved to be the problem for Broner. He lost his title to the scale in just his second defense to Vincente Escobedo coming in 3 ½ pounds overweight. Broner went on to win by TKO in the 5th round.
Broner got back on track and won a world title in a second weight class by beating the breaks off Antonio DeMarco November 17th 2012 taking the WBC Lightweight title.
The Boardwalk in Atlantic City New Jersey was still reeling from Super-Storm Sandy that devastated much of the mid Atlantic states as well as the coastal areas of New York and New Jersey just a month before.
Broner entertained the crowd with a virtuoso performance against DeMarco, a tough gritty kid who grew up homeless on the streets Los Mochis, in Sinaloa Mexico. Broner took a strategic approach early, weary of DeMarco’s power. Broner took over completely by the 4th round with quick jabs and stinging left hooks. Broner would also land powerful uppercuts from inside the Philly Shell defense that Broner had adopted much like his hero Floyd Mayweather. Commentators likened Broner’s performance to that of Mayweather v. Corrales where the speed and ring generalship of Mayweather completely nullified the hard-punching Corrales. Broner landed 52 punches to his opponent’s 6 in the fifth round, landing at will against the mostly stationary DeMarco. The end came via TKO in the 8th round. Broner had landed an incredible 37 of 45 power shots.
Broner made a successful defense of the Lightweight title before moving up to win a belt in a third weight class beating Paul Malignaggi for his WBA World Welterweight title by split decision June 22, 2013.
The future was as bright as Broner’s smile.
Maidana vs. Broner
Marcos Rene ‘El Chico’ Maidana is a throwback fighter, like a Spartan he will come back with his shield or on it. The tattooed slugger from Margarita, Santa Fe, Argentina was never known for much pure boxing technique or ring acumen, he got by mostly on his guts and chin. When Maidana was slated to take on Broner in December of 2014 not many believed he would present much of a problem for Adrien Broner.
Right from the start, Maidana charged after Broner, Broner is known for being a slow starter preferring to step back and analyze his opponent over 2-3 rounds not fully committing to any shots. Maidana gave him no such chance, swarming from the opening bell and landed a left hook and overhand right that hurt Broner. Maidana fought in close and made the fight dirty and gritty. Broner himself is not afraid to use his forearms and elbows and is very physically strong that Maidana would have none of it.
Broner was shocked in the second round when Maidana smashed him sending him down to the canvas for the first time in 29 fights. Maidana continued to crowd and bully Broner. ‘El Chico’ knocked Broner down again in the 8th round forcing the weary champion to hold and tie up the Argentinian, in response Maidana blatantly head-butted Broner under the chin forcing referee Laurence Cole to deduct a point. Maidana never lets up using his improved jab to close distance and boss Broner.
Marcos Maidana claimed Broner’s WBA world title in his first defense winning a wide unanimous decision. Ring magazine named Maidana’s victory the Upset of The Year for 2013.
Back on Track
Broner recovered well putting in a workmanlike performance beating Carlos Molina by unanimous decision May 3rd, 2014. The usually flashy Broner picked his spots working mostly behind a strong jab. Molina believed the blueprint was out thanks to Maidana and tried to bully and pressure Broner attempting to work the body, but to no avail.
Back in friendly territory, Broner beat Emmanuel Taylor at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati six months later in September 2014. A close fight, in the beginning, Broner showed his class and again worked behind a solid jab until in the later rounds Broner pulled ahead of his opponent and had Taylor down twice in 12th putting an emphatic mark on his unanimous decision victory.
Opening 2015, Broner took on opponent John Molina Jr March 7th. A true veteran, like Maidana Molina Jr., takes on all comers and has power and grit. Broner was able to confuse and confound Molina Jr with his superior hand speed and combinations. Though Molina had a decent 3rd round he was never really in the fight and Broner cruised to very wide and comfortable points victory winning 120-108 on judges Burt Clements and Patricia Jarman’s score cards.
Porter vs. Broner
With Broner firing on all cylinders again it was time to take a step up in competition and take on Shawn Porter. Another tough Ohio native, Porter brought an impressive record of 25-1-1 into their bout on Premier Boxing Champions June 20th, 2015.
Broner, ever the entertainer literally danced to the ring that night, those slick moves would have helped him in the fight but he mostly did the Waltz with Porter. It was an ugly, sloppy affair from bell to bell. Broner could not get the Akron brawler off of him the entire night, Porter jumped on Broner immediately and stayed in his chest throughout the fight. Possessing real power, Broner was forced to hold and clinch repeatedly to weather the storm. Broner’s repeated holding forced veteran ref Tony Weeks to deduct a point in the 11th round to the applause of the crowd. Broner did not go quietly however and decked Porter with a huge hook at the outset of the 12th and final round. It was not enough, however, to make up for Porter’s effective aggression and work rate so Porter earned the unanimous decision victory.
Discipline is The Problem
Broner rebounded October 2015 with a savage assault on Dagestan native Khabib Allakhverdiev. Throughout the majority of the 12 rounds Broner showed no respect to the Russian and landed at will, particularly the lead right straight and the rear uppercut. His face a lumpy mess Harvey Dock stepped in perhaps a little too late to save Allakhverdiev with just 46 seconds remaining in the 12th round.
Broner won the vacant WBA World Super Lightweight title that night and then lost it on the scales again to Ashley Theophane before their clash last April 1st 2016. Broner was the boss for much of the fight showing his trademark hand speed and combinations against the over matched London, UK boxer.
Broner added some hot sauce during the post fight interview when he called out his former mentor and idol Floyd Mayweather Jr seated at ringside. Airing his grievances over perceived disrespect by Floyd, Broner arranged the audience and threatened Floyd stating “He gotta see me, I don’t care if we spar or we fight. Let’s get it on.”
Then inexplicably, Broner announced his retirement via social media that August. During the same period, Broner served 30 days in jail for failing to appear for his trial related to armed robbery charges the previous January.
On October 12th, the bizarre behavior seemed to reach it’s apex when Broner took to his Instagram with what appeared to be threats of suicide. He wrote: “3 p.m., I’m doing it. I’m sorry to my family and friends, but I don’t want to be here no more, this (expletive) too much.”
Then, just days later Broner was arrested for assaulting a waitress at Drai’s nightclub in Las Vegas, Nevada October 17th, 2016.
Broner would be “saved” by an old friend, however, Floyd Mayweather, Broner’s old mentor swooped in and counseled the out of shape, unmotivated young man and has gotten Broner back on track.
The Breakdown
A disciplined and focused Adrien Broner is arguably one of the best pound for pound boxers in the sport. Trouble seems to be brewing again however as late last week Broner suddenly demanded the agreed upon weight for the fight had to be changed from the contracted 142 pounds to 147 pounds, as we have seen struggling to make weight is nothing new for Broner.
If after changing the weight and fighting someone many believe beneath his station Broner does not just turn in a brilliant performance but dominate the doubts and criticism will continue to follow Adrien Broner.
Adrian Granados is a tough Chicago kid who has nothing to lose and could have his life changed by beating Broner. Born August 14th 1989, Granados has played spoiler on several occasions. He fought to a draw against Kermit Cintron in 2013, Kermit had had twice as many fights at the time. So far Granados’ biggest win has come against the well-regarded Amir Imam, clubbing lefts and rights forced the referee stoppage in the 8th round as Imam wilted under the barrage.
Granados brings voluminous heart and determination into the fight against Broner this Saturday night at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati. Granados also brings additional motivation into the ring when he carries the spirit and memory of his recently murdered friend and fellow boxer Ed Brown. Brown had been a promising Super Lightweight but was killed in a hail of gunfire this past December 4th. Chicago has turned into something of a war zone, over 760 murders by gun violence were reported last year. Granados was able to leave the street culture behind however it claimed his friend and boxing brother.
Technically speaking Granados does not have much of a chance, though he enjoys a three-inch height advantage and five-inch reach advantage he tends to crouch and crowd his punches, he fights very square as well and will leave a multitude of targets for Broner to pick apart.
Granados has never been stopped in 24 bouts however the hand speed and stinging power of Broner will be too much to deal with. Broner has now in theory also purchased a size/weight advantage having successfully manipulated the agreed upon weight in his favor five pounds above the original limit. Broner is already tremendously strong and the lanky frame of Granados will not benefit him inside.
Broner has the resume as well as all the intangibles, he will most likely deliver a beating to Adrian Granados winning by TKO in rounds 8-10. Though it’s hard to believe Broner will have really accomplished much with the victory in the final analysis. Best case scenario is Broner uses this, his first fight in 10 months to build some momentum. If he can remain focused and consistent he could finally lock horns with WBA Super Lightweight champ Ricky Burns later this year or if Broner decides 147 is easier fighting the loser of Thurman – Garcia would be compelling.
