In 2021, many boxing fans and commentators have highlighted the breadth of talent currently bringing the sweet science back to prominence, with names like Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney, Errol Spence Jr., and Terence Crawford all of which have become household names. One fighter, however, that yields as much (if not more), fanfare and intrigue is Cincinnati, Ohio native Adrien Broner.
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As former four-division world champion (super featherweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight), AB was once believed by many to be the future face of the sport. Broner (who boasts a record of 33-4-1 with 24 wins via KO), has been commended for his preternatural skills between the ropes but maligned for his perceived lack of focus and immaturity. According to his detractors, those negative traits were contributing factors that led to a precipitous downfall from champion and showman to a misguided sideshow. That latter tag is something he attempts to debunk with his highly-anticipated return to the ring this Saturday (Feb. 20th) at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, where he will face undefeated Puerto Rican super lightweight, Jovanie Santiago (14-0-1, 10 KOs) in a 12-round bout.
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Airing live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, the fight will be Broner’s first time stepping back in the ring in over two years, when he suffered defeat at the hands of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao. Yet according to AB, he’s fully prepared for the moment and anxious to lace up the gloves. “I feel good, man,” Broner tells VIBE, via phone. “I just can’t wait until the bell rings and to let my hands go.”
Broner’s confidence in his abilities is familiar on face value but comes at a time when there’s as much doubt surrounding his standing and future in boxing as there has ever been. In addition to his current three-fight losing streak (with his last victory coming via a split decision welterweight match over Adrian Granados exactly four years ago this month), Broner’s life outside of the ring has been marred by controversy and legal battles. In 2019, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and unlawful restraint after forcibly kissing a woman at an Ohio nightclub in 2018. The scene resulted in a lawsuit being filed against him by the victim, who was ultimately awarded an $855,682.03 judgment in her favor. However, Broner — who also picked up a DUI charge, violating his probation this past year — allegedly has no funds available to settle the lawsuit according to court documents submitted by Wells Fargo, causing detractors to peg his return to boxing as nothing more than a money grab. This is an accusation Broner swiftly denies, pointing towards Saturday night as the moment those theories will be debunked, “man, once they see me Saturday night, everything gon’ change.”
Change has been a constant in Broner’s life as he attempts to pick up the pieces of his once-promising career, which garnered him early comparisons to a young Floyd Mayweather Jr. While Broner’s appetite for the spotlight and his abrasive, cocksure soundbites are reminiscent of Mayweather, his diet and training regimen have paled in contrast to Floyd’s, who is renowned for his undying work ethic and relentless drive to be the best. This time, in preparation for his comeback, Broner insists he’s learned from the errors of his past ways, cutting down on his consumption of alcohol and women, as well as refining his diet for maximum results. “You know, I made a lot of adjustments,” he reveals with a steady tone. “And I stopped eating a lot of crazy foods and everything’s gonna show on Saturday night.”
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One indicator of the validity of Broner’s words was his ability to make the 147lb weight limit for his upcoming bout, a challenge he’s struggled with in the past, having last made that weight in 2015. Another sign of Broner’s renewed hunger and discipline is the various clips posted on social media of him training intensely, a process which saw him shed more than thirty-five pounds within months. Gervonta Davis, a four-time boxing world champion in two weight classes, was often seen training in close proximity to Broner and has inherited the Mayweather comparisons that once cloaked Broner himself. When asked of his relationship with the rising talent, Broner refers to Davis as family, voicing his desire to help the young champ avoid the same pitfalls that once caused him to stumble.”You know, that’s my baby brother,” he says of the Baltimore bred knockout artist. “Always. Since the first day I seen him, I told him he was special and I always just try to help him. If he asks me something, I tell him the best thing to do. Before he can get in a situation, I tell him, ‘We’re gonna do something else.’ I just want the best for him.”
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The potential star power that awaits Davis in the future could be blinding for many, but as for Broner, he’s fully immersed in the present and is fixated on Jovanie Santiago, the next opponent in front of him and one he vows not to take lightly. “Well, in boxing, you can’t overlook anything,” when asked of any future endeavors or fights he has in mind. “So what’s next for me is Saturday night.” Broner may be focused on getting his victory, yet, if he does, it will be under different circumstances than he’s used to, as the Santiago bout will be his first fight since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This means it will be his first time fighting without a crowd to cheer — or boo — him in his professional career.
This also diminishes the opportunity for the grand spectacle that is an Adrien Broner ring walk, which usually includes a rap star performing one of his favorite songs as he approaches his opponent for battle. “With this COVID, the way it’s all set up, they ain’t really letting us do much,” he says when asked of any potential fireworks or highlights viewers can look forward to prior to the fight. “So I ain’t worried about no ring walk. I’m worried about getting a victory.” That said, Broner does offer insight into what he’s been listening to for inspiration while training, listing a few familiar names of artists he’s struck relationships with over the years. “Music is everywhere right now, honestly,” he says of the current landscape of hip-hop and who he’s checking for. “Every day you look up, it’s a new guy with a new song, so I just love good music. But Lil Uzi is definitely always in my ear, Meek Mill is always in my ear and Rick Ross, for sure. And, of course, [Lil] Durk.”
Days away from writing the first chapter in what has the makings of a redemption story for the ages, Broner is ready to face the music, sans a live performer or not. He appears as motivated as he’s been in years. Watching the pre-fight press conference, remnants of the Adrien Broner we’ve come to love — or hate — clearly remains. The boasts, verbal jabs, and smugness are belied by experience and perspective, both of which he’s added to his arsenal and hopes to reap the benefits come this weekend. “I just want everybody to watch Saturday night and I’ll be victorious,” he declares. “After this performance, I think the world is gonna know that Adrien Broner is back and I’m here to take over the sport.”