CINCINNATI, Ohio – Adrien Broner and Emanuel Taylor put on a show for “The Problem’s” 8,115 hometown fans in attendance at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, brawling to a close, unanimous decision (115-112, 116-111 twice) for Broner that was arguably one of the best fights of the year.
The main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader was a tactical, inside fight from the beginning. Taylor (18-3, 12 KOs) was effective in the early rounds, coming out with an aggressive game plan that surprised the favored Broner and had him backing up against the ropes. The fight was even after six rounds, but as Taylor’s energy waned, Broner (29-1, 22 KOs) took control of the bout.
With the crowd on its feet in a classic 12th round, Broner closed out the bout with an exclamation point. The three-division world champion set up Taylor with a tremendous flurry then floored him with a perfect left hook for the first knockdown of the night with just 20 seconds left in the fight.
“You have fake champs who don’t want to see them in a tough fight, but I’m still pretty,” Broner said. “I want to thank Emanuel Taylor for coming to Cincy to fight me. He put up a hell of a fight. I knew he was going to be tough.”
In just his second fight at 140 pounds after capturing titles at 130, 135 and 147, Broner was looking to prove that he’s still an elite fighter after a tough loss to Marcos Maidana in December 2013.
“I came from the bottom so I know what it feels like to be there. We’re still pushing to get back to the top.
“I said my next fight should be Matthysse and he can get it. If it was up to me I’d fight him with this cut on my head tonight.”