Boxing’s bad boy is back in the ring
After consistently making headlines outside the ring, Broner wants to do the same inside the ropes, writes
TWO-THOUSANDAND-SIXTEEN was a troubled year for the man they call “The Problem”. In April, Adrien Broner failed to make weight for his WBA super-lightweight title defence against well-travelled Londoner Ashley Theophane, which meant he had to surrender his belt, despite winning inside nine rounds. But worse was to come for the controversial Cincinnati star. After failing to turn up to court on time for his trial on felony charges – dating back to a late-night incident outside a bowling alley in January – Broner was forced to spend 30 days in jail in the summer.
With this difficult year now behind him, Broner, 27, gets back to business at the Cintas Center in his hometown this Saturday (February 18), when he fights underrated Mexicanamerican Adrian Granados, 18-4-2 (12), over 12 rounds at welterweight. Broner’s own promotional company – About Billions Promotions – stage the event in association with Mayweather Promotions, while Boxnation (UK) and Showtime (US) televise. “I’m excited to get back in the ring,” Broner said. “The boxing game isn’t the same without me. Granados is a solid guy. I know him well. There’s no doubt he’ll be ready to fight.” The reason why Broner, 32-2 (24) 1NC, knows Granados well is because the pair have sparred in the past – when Broner was preparing for his December 2013 WBA welterweight title defence against Argentine hardman Marcos Maidana. Broner went on to suffer his first pro
defeat in that match, as he was dropped twice en route to a unanimous points reverse. Encouragingly for Granados, the Cicero, Illinois resident’s roughhouse style has been compared to that of Maidana, who bullied Broner for 12 rounds.
“I wasn’t intimidated by Broner when we sparred and I’m not intimidated by him now,” Granados declared. “I don’t like going to the judges’ scorecards, especially in his hometown. I’m going to try to get a knockout.”
Despite having four losses on his record, each of these setbacks for Granados were close-run things – two split decisions and two majority verdicts. Furthermore, three of these defeats came against fighters who were unbeaten – Brad Solomon, Felix Diaz and Frankie Gomez. Another well-known name on Granados’ résumé is Kermit Cintron, whom the 27-year-old seemed unfortunate to only draw with.
Granados’ breakout victory came in November 2015, when he halted Amir Imam in eight sessions in what was supposed to be a warm-up contest for Imam ahead of a proposed WBC 140lb title tilt. Granados has fought once since – a low-key unanimous points triumph over Ariel Vasquez seven months ago.
In addition to being a former WBA titlist at super-lightweight and welter, Broner has also previously held world championships at super-feather (WBO) and lightweight (WBC). At 135lbs, he impressed by dispatching respected rivals in Antonio Demarco and Gavin Rees inside the distance. However, he subsequently struggled to replicate this scintillating form at 140lbs and above.
Broner scraped past the experienced Paulie Malignaggi on a split decision at 147lbs, prior to his humbling loss to Maidana. Additionally, he was outfought and outthought by EX-IBF welter king Shawn Porter (l ud 12) at a 144lb catchweight. It is only in his last two appearances – against robust Russian Khabib Allakhverdiev (w rsf 12) and Theophane – that Broner has been able to recapture his punching power of old.
Like Maidana and Porter, the forceful Granados will be looking to press and unsettle Broner. Although he can box effectively at times, the fit and rugged underdog prefers to drag his opponents into a brawl. With Broner sometimes guilty of staying in the pocket too long – his head movement, footwork and workrate have all come under scrutiny in the past – Granados will feel confident that he can make this his sort of fight.
In contrast, it can be argued that Granados’ come-forward approach could play into Broner’s hands. Granados is more than happy to swallow shots in order to land his own, which is a dangerous tactic to employ against an outstanding pot-shotter and counterpuncher like Broner. Fast and flashy, the hometown man possesses a sharp jab and impressive variety, including thumping left hooks to head and body, as well as slashing right crosses and uppercuts. His slick shoulder rolls allow him to evade attacks, while he is sturdy enough to handle himself in close.
Having been floored various times in his career, but never stopped, Granados is as tough as they come. He will make it an uncomfortable night for Broner at first, but the likelihood is that he will simply walk into one too many hurtful punches, before being pulled out by the referee sometime in the final third of the contest.
The 12-round welterweight bout between David Avanesyan, 22-1-1 (11) – a Russian of Armenian descent who trains under Carl Greaves in Newark, Nottinghamshire – and Memphisbased Washington, D.C native Lamont
Peterson, 34-3-1 (17), is a difficult one to call. Avanesyan, 28, is an energetic and strong switch-hitting box-fighter who cuts the ring off well and boasts a cruel left hook. Peterson, 33, meanwhile, is a skilled all-rounder who has swift feet and quick reflexes. His long jab and draining body blows are useful weapons.
Avanesyan is coming off a unanimous points win over veteran future Hall of Famer Shane Mosley in May, while Peterson has not fought for 16 months. However, Lamont – a former unified world super-lightweight champion – has the better pedigree overall, and can earn a victory on the scorecards.
‘I WASN’T INTIMIDATED THEN AND I’M NOT INTIMIDATED NOW’