After Adrien Broner clocked up the second loss of his career on June 20th, the fighter known as ‘The Problem’ wasn’t keen on divulging a reason for the lackluster performance. Instead, fight fans had to hear how he’s still rich, and, wishes to take Shawn Porter’s girlfriend out to dinner.
In other words, the usual self-marketing vulgarities that have been integral to shaping the Cincinnati-native’s career.
The Porter fight had offered Broner a big stage on which to shine following his nightmare defeat to Marcos Maidana back in December 2013. So what happened against Porter? Isn’t Broner supposed to be the real deal which he has prophesized on countless occasions? Isn’t he supposed to be the second-coming of Floyd Mayweather?
Not in terms of skill level it would seem. And certainly not in terms of mental strength and stability. Against Porter, despite occasional spurts and a 12th round knockdown, Broner put in a truly uninspired performance. And one which will now likely see him plummet from many a ranking table.
Was Broner capable of delivering more? Did he believe simply turning up was enough to get the win? Or is he just another media hype job whose veil is beginning to slip?
Who can really say for sure? Whatever the reason for his underwhelming display, Broner seems blissfully unaware of his weaknesses in a sport often referred to as one of the toughest in the world. But to ‘The Problem’ himself, he doesn’t have a problem.
And that is perhaps the ‘real problem’ with Adrien Broner. If we haven’t seen the best of the 25-year-old due to complacency, you have to wonder if we ever will. High on his own ego, fame and wealth, which has been acquired quickly in his 7-year pro career, he has often been described as boxing’s no.1 spoilt brat.
Before Broner (30-2-0, 22 KO) came on the scene, Mayweather was seen as the loudest, brashest character in boxing. Broner emulated that marketing model, and then took it to another level completely; and if that meant turning up to a press conference with his opponent’s ex-girlfriend on one occasion (Paulie Malignaggi’s), then it was just business as usual.
Every pantomime needs a villain. But if Mayweather had played that role, then Broner has become the super-villain. The difference between Broner and Mayweather, two of boxing’s most outspoken men? That’s clear as daylight. And it stems from their intelligence and work ethic out of the ring. Most obviously, Mayweather actually backs up his talk by walking the walk.
When Mayweather says “easy work” endlessly prior to his fights, he often proves it is just that. But the pound for pound king is also known for saying “hard work, dedication” just as much – something he also proves in the gym.
It’s not that Mayweather is without his personal trials and tribulations away from the sport. It’s not that he possesses some super-gene Broner doesn’t. Both men have natural talent, both are born fighters. But it is Mayweather’s often overlooked devotion to his craft that has kept him in the number one spot for all these years.
Can we say the same for Broner? Does he want it bad enough? Does he want to be king? Does he want to be a truly great fighter?
If you take Broner’s latest bout as a showcase of his current ambitions, it sure doesn’t seem that way. Excessive clinching, time-wasting, clock-watching, fouling to the point where points are deducted; this is not the Broner sold to audiences, and certainly not the Broner we wanted to see.
As it stands, Broner’s biggest wins haven’t been too big at all. They are debatable at least. Many fans still feel Daniel Ponce De Leon was robbed in Broner’s 2011 HBO debut, and also that the Cincinnati boxer came up short against Fernando Quintero in 2009.
Even Broner’s three-time champion status seems to be part-smokescreen. Broner’s first world title at Super Featherweight came after beating a largely unknown Martin Rodriguez. It was then followed by an 8th round TKO of Antonio DeMarco who, despite possessing an iron-will, isn’t regarded as a great talent.
Broner then dethroned Paulie Malignaggi of his WBA Welterweight strap in June 2013, but that Split Decision has been widely disputed since. A lopsided loss to Maidana came next, which was followed by three tune-up bouts that failed to raise the eyebrows of boxing fans.
So now comes the big question: post-Porter, will we see a change in Adrien Broner? Will we see more motivation, more focus going forward? Or, will riches and excess continue to be a distraction?
Only time will tell if ‘The Problem’ is really capable of greatness. And if he is to leave any kind of legacy in the sport he will have to start living up to that alias in the ring.
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