By Jake Donovan
Adrien Broner won his first title at home. Now he returns in attempt to become a four-division champion.
Details have been finalized for Broner's upcoming super lightweight title fight with former 140 lb. champ Khabib Allakhverdiev to take place October 3 at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The bout will headline a Showtime telecast that will include undefeated Jose Pedraza in the first defense of his super featherweight title versus veteran Edner Cherry.
“I’m excited to be back in Cincinnati taking on a tough world class fighter who is going to bring it,” said Broner. “This fight means the world to me. It’s a huge deal to have the chance to be a four-division world champion at 26 years old.”
The bout marks Broner's first at home since a thrilling 12-round win over Emmanuel Taylor last September. His first title win took place in this very venue, knocking out Vicente Rodriguez in the third round of their Nov. '11 vacant 130 lb. title fight.
The same location also marked the end of his reign, losing his title at the scales in showing up heavy for an eventual 5th round stoppage of Vicente Escobedo in July '12. Four months later, Broner added a second championship to his arsenal, dismantling Antonio DeMarco in eight one-sided rounds to lift the lightweight crown in their Nov. '12 clash.
By June '13, Broner became a three-division champ after outpointing Paul Malignaggi to claim a welterweight on the road in Brooklyn, New York. His reign was shortlived, as he was manhandled by Marcos Maidana in his lone title defense later that December.
Broner bounced back to win his next three fights before falling short versus Shawn Porter this past June.
Interestingly, both and he his upcoming challenger enter the vacant title fight on the heels of a loss, thus eliminating the possibility of either side attempting to throw shade at their respective setbacks.
In that vein, Allakhverdiev knows he has a fight on his hands, and cautions Broner to expect the same.
“Broner is a good boxer, he is a fast and talented guy, but as a man I don’t have anything good to say about him,” said Allakhverdiev (19-1, 9KOs), a Russian southpaw who hasn't fought since his title-losing effort to Jessie Vargas last April. “I am looking forward to a world championship winning performance and I know that if he tries to do something to get in my head, to approach me or to push me that I will be as restrained as possible and save my anger for fight night.”
Allakhverdiev claimed his first title in Nov. '12, scoring a minor upset (or so perceived at the time) in a technical split decision win over Joan Guzman. Just one successful defense followed—an 11th round stoppage of Souleyman M'Baye in their July '13 clash on the road in Monte Carlo—before running into Vargas in a fight that was closer than the final scorecards suggested.
The showdown with Broner marks the fourth straight time Allakhverdiev concedes hometown advantage, whether his opponent's home base or that of his rival's promoter as was the case when he defeated Guzman for the 140 lb. crown in South Florida.
In the co-feature, Pedraza returns to the network that made him a champion, having claimed the 130 lb. title in a 12-round win over Andrey Klimov this past June in Birmingham, Alabama.
"I'm very excited to be back on SHOWTIME defending my title,” said Pedraza (20-0, 12KOs), who hails from Cidra, Puerto Rico. “This is another step in the direction of becoming a superstar in the sport of boxing. I will be victorious and make my island proud."
His first title defense comes versus a rugged ring veteran in Cherry (34-6-2, 19KOs). The 33-year old from Florida has won 11 straight since coming up short in a 2008 title bid versus then-unbeaten 140 lb. champion Timothy Bradley Jr.
In his most recent ring appearance, Cherry upended one-time prospect Luis Cruz inside of nine rounds this past February in Tampa, Florida.
“I’m in a tough fight on October 3 but I’m very excited for this opportunity,” said Cherry. “This is nothing new for me. I’m not taking Pedraza lightly. He’s a champion for a reason. This is something that comes once in a lifetime and I’m going all-in to win this title.”
TICKET INFO
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing and About Billions Promotions (Broner's promotional company), are priced at $154, $104, $79, $54, and $29 and are on sale NOW. Tickets are available at the U.S. Bank Arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets including select Kroger stores, call 1-800-745-3000, or online at Ticketmaster.com.
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com.
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