Adrien Broner not overlooking that guy
With fight week upon us, many in the boxing world are wondering what to expect from Adrien “The Problem” Broner (33-4-1, 24 KO’s). The Cincinnati, Ohio native is returning to the ring for the first time in two years. In that last outing The Problem fought against boxing phenomenon Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao. Sadly, and yet predictably, Broner was out-worked and saddled with a clear unanimous decision loss. On Saturday February 20, he will take on Jovanie “El Lobito” Santiago (14-0-1, 10 KO’s) in his first step toward redemption.
As would be expected, few are giving Santiago a shot at victory. It is not hard to see why so many feel he is doomed to defeat. To begin, this will be his first fight in the United States. Up to this point, El Lobito has only fought in the Dominican Republic or his native Puerto Rico. Also, Santiago has never fought anyone on the level as Broner…or anywhere near it. Win, lose or draw The Problem has been in the ring with some of today’s most elite talent. It is highly unlikely that experience will not play a huge role in the bout.
NEW TUNE OR SAME OLD SONG AND DANCE?
With seemingly all the advantages, one would assume that Broner will easily obliterate his upcoming foe. Sadly however, The Problem has cried wolf to the disappointment of the people on a number of occasions. After dropping his first professional loss to Marcos Maidana, he vowed never to lose again. However, he would go on to lose roughly every two years for the next six years.
In 2015 he would lose to Shawn Porter, then to Mikey Garcia in 2017 and in 2019 Pacquiao claimed the day. Not only would he put the whole hood on his back and lose, he lost nearly identically in his three setbacks. In each instance, Broner threw an alarmingly scant number of punches. In place of his knuckles he inserted trash talk, poses and only occasionally displayed glimpses of his true talent. Overall however, he was outclassed largely due to his own complacency.
So once again, The Problem has declared that he is a new man and refocused on the sport. As evidence, it is clear that he is in better shape than usual and is on point to make weight. During the final press conference, Broner insisted that he was putting in the work and definitely not overlooking Santiago.
“Hey man, listen, I know that a lot of people are like man they don’t know this guy but these guys like Jovanie can be very dangerous because a lot of people don’t know him. I know that he is a good opponent. He’s coming to fight, he’s undefeated, so you know I got to stay on my A-game. I’m going in to get the victory, you know, whatever presents itself. If the knockout presents itself I’m taking it…but I am definitely coming to get my win!”
PUT SOME RESPECT ON MY NAME!
In the end though, it would not be Broner if he did not get a little wild and he did not disappoint. When questioned how he felt that Santiago did not see anything special in him, Broner had all the fuel he needed to take off!
“Hey man, at the end of the day, he’s here because of me. You’re here because of me. This whole cast is here because of me so, you know, that’s special! Saturday night the only thing that is going to be special is this ass whipping I’m giving out, he’ll know then! You’re talking to somebody I haven’t punched yet. When you talk to somebody and you’ve punched, them they talk different. He ain’t going to be talking like that after Saturday.”
By: Bakari Simpson
