Adrien Broner, the former WBO super featherweight, WBA lightweight, and WBA welterweight champion, is as inscrutable as ever?
In the last of three fights being televised simultaneously on three different networks Saturday night, the fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, between Adrien ?The Problem? Broner (30-1, 22 KOs) and Shawn Porter (25-1-1, 16 KOs) at a 144-pound catchweight may be the ultimate pick ?em.
Broner, the former WBO super featherweight, WBA lightweight, and WBA welterweight champion, is as inscrutable as ever. With the exception of a single loss to Marcos Maidana in December, 2013, he has defeated everyone he has faced and done so easily. More boxer than puncher, Broner has no problem letting his hands go, as long as he?s on the offensive. It?s when he?s on the defensive that The Problem?s problems emerge.
Of all the men Broner has foughs, Porter, the former IBF welterweight champion, most resembles Maidana. Although he?s more compact and muscular than the Argentine gaucho, his style is to barrel forward while throwing punches every which way, some of which land and some of which don?t. His aggressive style has proven more effective than aesthetic, but an ace boxer, someone like Kell Brook, for example, to whom Porter loss his title last August, can time his bull rushes and catch him coming in.
Broner has the skills and discipline, at least inside the ring, to read Porter, exploit his limitations, and keep him at the end of his punches. But Porter will try to get inside. That?s where he can rough up Broner. That?s where he can do the most damage. The fight will most likely not be a replay of the Maidana fight, a fight where Broner says he beat himself, but the possibility of that happening a second time is just part of what makes this fight intriguing.
?Yes, he is skillful and fast,? said Porter during a recent teleconference call, ?but I?m the strongest fighter that Adrien Broner will ever get into the ring with. I know he?s got more fights as a professional than me but that doesn?t mean he?s got more experience than me. Our first mindset isn?t going to be to bully him, but to outbox him and use our speed. Different techniques are required to cut off and slow down a fast fighter like him. I want to dictate everything. I want to dictate the pace. I want to be the commander in the ring. It?s a moment that I?ve always wanted, and I?m looking forward to it, so I?ll take it with no problem at all.?
Not surprisingly, that?s not how The Problem sees it.
?I?ve been through some things that would say I shouldn?t have been here today,? said Broner at the final presser before the fight. ?But now I?m one of the biggest names in boxing. This is a big fight because Adrien Broner is on the card. No disrespect, but I?m coming to win and I?m going to win. Even if it?s a hard fight, I?m going to win this fight. They say he?s strong, they say he comes like a bulldozer. Whatever they bring to the table on June 20, I?m ready. I?m going to be the most powerful fighter on June 20th and definitely the prettiest fighter on June 20. Don?t blink or you?ll miss it.?
Adrien Broner vs. Shawn Porter will be televised live Saturday night on NBC starting a 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT.
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