Some of the finest moments in the career of the four-division champ ahead of his showdown against Omar Figueroa Saturday night on SHOWTIME.
Adrien “The Problem” Broner possesses a resume full of accomplishments. Broner won his first world title when he was 23 years old, and by 26 had joined an elite group of fighters who had won world titles in four weight classes. Now 33, Broner remains one of boxing’s biggest personalities.
After campaigning at 147 the past five years, the Cincinnati native will return to the super lightweight division to face world champion Omar Figueroa Jr. on Saturday, August 20, in a headlining event at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, FL on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). It is “work or die” season for Broner as he looks to re-establish himself in the 140-pound division.
“I’m going in there to try to stop Figueroa,” Broner said. “I’m going to take the fight to him and go ahead and get him out of there. What I expect from him is the same gruesome Figueroa that we always see. He’ll try to make it a rough fight. Every fighter is different, but I don’t think he’ll be hard to hit. I know I can be a champion again, and I know I’m going to be a champion again.”
As Broner prepares for his highly anticipated return, here is a look back at his five memorable moments.
5 ADRIAN GRANADOS
Date: February 18, 2017
Location: Cintas Center, Cincinnati
At stake: No title
Records at the time: Broner 32-2 (24 KOs), Granados 18-4-2 (11 KOs),
Result: Broner SD (96-94, 93-97, 97-93)
Significance: Broner knew it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park fighting in his hometown against his friend and former sparring partner Granados, but was ready for it. Granados pressured Broner throwing punches in bunches while Broner responded with brilliant counterpunches in the form of uppercuts and hooks. The fight featured many good exchanges and was a Fight of the Year candidate. Broner’s power eventually wore Granados down. More shots were exchanged in the tenth round, but it was a thunderous left hook from Broner that rocked Granados and solidified the split decision victory for “The Problem.”
4 Ashley Theophane
Date: April 1, 2016
Location: DC Armory, Washington
At stake: Vacant WBA Super Lightweight Title
Records at the time: Broner 31-2 (23 KOs), Theophane 39-6-1 (11 KOs)
Result: Broner TKO 9 (1:10)
Significance: Prior to the fight, Broner was stripped off his WBA Super Lightweight Title for not making weight. Yet he fought like a champion on this night, displaying his skills by battering Theophane with a versatile attack. In round three Theophane was hurt and cornered by a right hand followed by a left hook. The tough Theophane was game and Broner unphased, dismantling him with speed and power. In the ninth, Broner unleashed a volley of blows, starting with an uppercut and ending with a cross that sent Theophane swerving around the ring. Referee Luis Pabon stopped the assault.
3 Khabib Allakhverdiev
Date: October 3, 2015
Location: U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati
At stake: Vacant WBA Super Lightweight Title
Records at the time: Broner 30-2 (22 KOs), Allakhverdiev 19-1 (9 KOs)
Result: Broner TKO 12 (2:23)
Significance: There was plenty of two-way action early on as Allakhverdiev gave as good as he got. Broner’s punches carried more pop. By the sixth, Allakhverdiev’s face and ribs were marked up from a steady diet of rights and lefts. Allakhverdiev was overwhelmed by Broner’s skills and threw less in the late rounds to avoid punishing counters. In the twelfth, Broner stunned Allakhverdiev with a straight jab, followed by a left hook, and a right uppercut-left hook combination, causing referee Harvey Dock to rescue Allakhverdiev at last.
2 GAVIN REES
Date: February 16, 2013
Location: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
At stake: Broner’s WBC Lightweight Title
Records at the time: Broner 25-0 (21 KOs), Rees 37-1-1 (19 KOs)
Result: Broner TKO 5 (2:59)
Significance: Rees handled his business from the opening bell, fearlessly firing away. But in the third, Rees realized that the problem was “The Problem.” Broner uncorked a sneaky right uppercut flooring Rees for the second time in his career. When Rees arose, Broner was in attack mode, pounding away in search of the finish. In the fifth, Broner was in command, landing a digging left hook to Rees’ liver. Rees dropped to a knee, though clearly in pain, he made it back to his feet only to eat more of Broner’s combinations. Referee Earl Brown halted the fight.
1 ANTONIO DEMARCO
Date: November 17, 2012
Location: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
At stake: DeMarco’s WBC Lightweight Title
Records at the time: Broner 24-0 (20 KOs), DeMarco 28-2-1 (21 KOs)
Result: Broner TKO 8 (1:49)
Significance: This was Broner’s scariest performance. Both fighters were cautious early. In the third round, DeMarco applied pressure using an attack focused on the body. In the fourth, the combatants stood toe-to-toe in the center of the ring, but it was Broner who dominated with quick combinations including a right uppercut that popped DeMarco’s head up. Broner’s shoulder roll defense frustrated an impatient DeMarco. He was still coming forward, but now being countered by head and body shots that left DeMarco’s face a swollen mess. By the eighth, DeMarco was a depleted force. Broner finished him off with a winging left uppercut that sent DeMarco to the canvas for the first time in his pro career. DeMarco’s corner stopped the fight immediately.
For a closer look at Adrien Broner, check out his fighter page.
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