Former four division world champion Adrien Broner is already sizing up his next opponent.
For the first time since his decision loss to Mikey Garcia from last July, Broner will hit the ring on April 21st in a catch-weight bout with former two division world champion Jessie Vargas at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Broner (33-3, 24 KOs) was initially scheduled to face Omar Figueroa, who withdrew with a training camp injury. Coming in on late notice is Vargas (28-2, 10 KOs), who embraced the fight with open arms. The contest takes place at a catch-weight of 144-pounds.
Broner is hoping the contest will lead to a showdown with WBC, WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman.
Broner had previously held the WBA title before losing the belt to Marcos Maidana.
Apparently Broner was advised that Thurman made certain comments about him, so the boxer exploded on social media in response.
He claims the recent confrontation between Thurman and Shawn Porter, which took place last month at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, was an orchestrated event.
Broner wants to make a statement against Vargas - and use that victory as a springboard to fight Thurman.
"Keith Thurman, I hear you talking sh*t.. bitch ass n*gga. This ain't no fake beef like you and Shawn got going on. Lil n*gga you don't want this smoke. Motherf***er will get on yo ass... bitch ass n*gga. And you can get next after I f*** Vargas up.. p*ssy," Broner stated on social media.
Thurman has been out of the ring since last March, when he won a twelve round split decision victory over Danny Garcia to unify the two welterweight titles. He then underwent surgery for an elbow injury.
He is scheduled to return on May 19th at Barclays Center against an opponent to be determined. Ironically Vargas was a frontrunner to face him on that date. According to Vargas, Thurman and his handlers rejected the fight because they wanted an easier opponent.
