Calls for Adrien Broner to Retire Have Only Grown Louder
The time has come for four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner 34-5-1, 24 KOs) to assess his future in boxing. With his latest defeat and career is on the downslide, the evidence suggests that retirement is in order.
Broner suffered a knockdown en route to a unanimous decision loss to Blair “The Flair” Cobbs on May 7. For most of the contest, The Problem was a problem to himself, as he couldn’t find his rhythm until late into the fight. By that time, Cobb was well ahead on the scorecards and on his way towards the biggest win of his career.
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Broner thought he did enough to win. Many in the boxing community disagree. After claiming to be in great shape and ready to put everything on the line, the overall effort of the former world champion was a disappointment.
WHERE THINGS WENT WRONG
After winning world titles at 130, 135, and 147, Broner looked like an emerging superstar. Then came the night of December 14, 2013, when he suffered the first defeat of his career – a unanimous decision loss to Carlos Maidana. The Problem has not been the same since.
Since the setback to Maidana, Broner never showed the form of his days at junior lightweight and lightweight. Outside the ring, his behavior has been erratic. It’s known throughout boxing circles that he’s had his battles with alcoholism. To be successful in this sport, discipline, commitment, and structure are necessary. Broner hasn’t been living the life of a championship fighter for several years.
Cobbs is, at best, a C-level fighter. For him to beat Broner and put him on the seat of his pants is troubling. At age 34, Broner is no longer in his physical prime and has seen his best days. With no signs of him being able to turn things around, hanging up his gloves for good is his best course of action.
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