What to expect from Adrien Broner in his next at bat?
Starting in December 2020, for several weeks Adrien “The Problem” Broner (33-4-1, 24 KO’s) has uploaded numerous posts of himself training. Once again, Broner is selling the tale that he is reborn and refocused on the sport of boxing. When this most recent social media blitz began, he promised a fight, yet had no opponent. Now, the Problem has an adversary, Pedro “Roca” Campa (31-1-1, 21 KO’s), but no venue. Once in the ring, on February 13, the Cincinnati native promises to impress.
While this all sounds great, it is a very old story. After suffering his first loss to Marcos “El Chino” Maidana (35-5, 31 KO’s), the brash pugilist vowed never to lose again. Yet, two years later Shawn “Showtime” Porter (31-3-1, 17 KO’s) put a second blemish on his record. Broner would go on to suffer two more losses to Mickey Garcia (40-1, 30 KO’s) and Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO’s).
TALENT REALIZED OR WASTED POTENTIAL?
The fact that the four-division champion is his own greatest obstacle is very frustrating. Outside of Maidana, he amassed his three other losses simply by being outworked. This is not to say that Broner would have definitely won had he let his hands go, but as it is, he largely surrendered those wins. Time after time, the Problem has convincingly re-sold his redemption fable. He has vowed to do better for his kids, big bro and one time he even put the whole hood on his back.
Sadly, once in the ring, the capable fighter has not been able to put it all together in years. There is a prevalent and reasonable argument that he should never have moved all the way up to welterweight. Had he remained down in the lightweight and super featherweight range, there is no telling what his story would be now. However, the move in weight was also a direct result of a lack of dietary discipline.
Frequently, life outside the ring has proven to be just as chaotic as his professional journey. At times, Broner appears to be the living the good life and staying in his own lane. Then, quicker than a jackrabbit, he is back in court, a social media altercation or posting gloomy and cryptic notes. The Problem really is the definition of a mixed bag!
GOLDEN TICKET
Certainly, Broner is not sleep to the fact that the welterweight division is red hot right now. Provided he could snag another major win, the world would be his oyster. Love him or hate him, there is no denying that the Problem brings viewership. It was ultimately his star power that landed him a fight with Pacquiao while coming in off a draw and a loss. One or two solid performances and he could be right back in the middle of the mix. There is even smoke for him down at 140.
If Broner pulled that rabbit out of his hat, he would have validated his previous promises to do better. This is asking for a lot though. Given his track record, we will just have to sit tight and wait. To get back to the promise land though, the Problem needs not only beat Campa but beat him in style. So, we will first get a chance to see just how hungry Broner is very shortly.
By: Bakari Simpson
