?Robert Garcia definitely has some confidence from beating me with Marcos Maidana. But Mikey is not Maidana??
On Saturday, July 29, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, four-division champion Adrien Broner (33-2, 24 KOs), ?The Problem? from Cincinnati, Ohio, gets it on with unbeaten three-division champion Mikey Garcia (36-0, 30 KOs), from Moreno Valley, California.
At the final presser before the bout, the fighters spoke about what fans can expect when they tune in to the fight.
?Just know that I?ll be ready on Saturday night,? said Broner. ?I?m not worried about how much he?ll weigh when we step into the ring. I?m ready for anything.?
?The Problem? had better be ?ready for anything? because Garcia is the real deal. ?I?m prepared to go 12 hard rounds with Adrien Broner,? he said. ?This is a high profile fight, probably more than my other fights. It?s created a lot of buzz amongst fans and media. Everyone is anticipating a great fight. This is a great matchup that can take me to the next level.?
Broner used to be at that level, but losses to Marcos Maidana and Shawn Porter in 2013 and 2015, respectively, make this a must-win fight for the Cincinnati Kid.
?Every fight is a must-win in this sport,? Broner said. ?There?s no fight you go into with a loss on your mind. I?m going to put on a show on Saturday. I?ve done my due diligence. I?m going to take care of business. I just know myself and know what I?m capable of. This is going to be a great fight for boxing.?
Broner has had more than his share of ups and downs over the years and hopefully he hasn?t squandered what little goodwill still exists. But Broner has won his last three fights, against so-so opposition, and hopes the win streak will continue despite the odds.
?I laugh when people write me off. I?m used to being the underdog coming from where I come from. People don?t know what I?ve been through to get to this point. I?m blessed to be where I?m at. Saturday night there will be a lot more room on the bandwagon.?
Garcia is a cool customer. While his opponent always seems to be in trouble with the law, Garcia is the law, but he refuses to sell Broner short.
?I need someone who is hungry and motivated to bring out the best in me,? Garcia said. ?He?s a four-division world champion so clearly he has the skills. I don?t think that he?s going to be desperate but he knows that I?m not an easy opponent. He knows that if he beats me he can launch his career back to where it was.?
It may take more than a win over Garcia to resurrect his career, but Broner is focused on the fight. If he can pull off the upset, maybe fight fans will extend to Broner to the same degree of appreciation he extends to himself.
?I just don?t feel like Mikey will be able to do anything to stop me from getting the victory. After I make it look easy, I want everyone to write about it and say something good.?
No man is unbeatable, but some men are more unbeatable than others.
?I?m going to lo look to box effectively and show that I?m the better fighter,? Garcia said. ?If I can get this win, I just want to keep moving forward and fulfilling my dreams. I want to be in huge fights consistently. This is a crossroads fight for both of us.
?I?m here to prove that I?m back and stronger than ever. This is another opportunity to show the kind of fighter that I am. I won?t let Adrien Broner stand in my way. This is my chance to show the best version of myself.?
But Broner says he?s ready for whatever Garcia brings.
?We could have fought years ago but the time is now and I?m ready. I know Mikey will be ready too. Robert Garcia definitely has some confidence from beating me with Marcos Maidana. But Mikey is not Maidana.?
