My Problem with Adrien Broner

This is a bit of a self indulgent thread considering everyone is posting about last night's fight but I really wanted to get a couple things off my chest. Coming into this fight I had Broner a big favourite, possibly winning by stoppage. Say what you want about the kids personality and lack of charisma/likability but he knows how to box and hits hard. His time at SFW was terrific, the kid was champion when he was barely 21 and was knocking out grown men. His move up to and subsequent dismantling of DeMarco was terrific but not as impressive as everyone makes it out to be. In my eyes, DeMarco wasn't the clear divisonal number one, Burns has a very good case for that slow (in the absence of Broner is probably the best at 135). But props where props are due and Broner beat DeMarco up. It was classy and brutal but the Floyd wanabe showed us some real cracks, he can't hit while the other guy is hitting back and he takes too many punches. He seems to be tailor made for a guy like Matthysse, Maidana or even Ortiz (in the right frame of mind). Unless Broner has Ali levels of recuperative power and chin he can't take punches from those guys and keep marching them down. Broner is an offensive fighter with what looks to be a solid defense but really isn't. He may want to be like Floyd but he is levels behind. The Paulie fight showcased how easily Broner can be found, a bit more pop and Broner would have been backed up, sadly the always entertaining Paulie has always lacked power. I reckon there are B level featherweights who probably hit harder. But all the punches Broner took, all the defensive skill he lacked, none of that surprised me as much as his inability to step through the gears, an accusation I've leveled at the likes of Kell Brook in the past. Broner was happy landing shots every now and then and just walked straight forward with minimal head movement. I'm worried now, can Broner be a true champion and fight guys like Lucas, Garcia, Ortiz, Guerrero, Maidana and even Devon/Khan? He certainly has the power but the defense is too predictable. Add to that a totally classless post fight interview and Broner maybe heading further away from the superstardom US networks seems to want to bestow on him. Just a look at possible WW/LWW opponents: First of all the top 140 pounders out there are: Garcia Matthysse Peterson Judah Rios Alvarado and Amir Khan (if he hasn't moved up to 147) Who can Broner beat realistically? I reckon he has enough power to stop Khan and hurt Peterson and Judah. Can he beat them? Possibly. Garcia, Mikey and Lucas not only hurt Broner but possibly stop him. Now the WWs: Alexander Brook Bradley Guerrero Thurman Maidana Alexander would probably outbox Broner for a number of rounds and get a decision. Guys like Bradley, Guerrero and Maidana throw far too much and have chins to match. Bradley and Guerrero would smother Broner for every minute of every round and Maidana may even stop him...then again, he has been down and Broner has the power to hurt him. I might be the only one but I'm not high on Thurman and think Broner stops him but that fight doesn't happen any time soon. Brook on the other hand may be Broner's best bet, he often fails to escape second gear and can get hit and hurt. Broner may work him over and go through for a decision. I've obviously left out JMM, Pac and PBF, those guys beat the **** outta Broner. I think it benefits Broner to stay away from the smaller but more dangerous fighters at 140 and make a quick buck at 147 fighting faded forces like Mosley (every likelihood this fight happens next). Oh and for the record, my card for Broner v Malignaggi: 1. Paulie 2. Paulie 3. Broner 4. Broner 5. Broner 6. Paulie 7. Broner 8. Broner 9. Paulie 10. Broner 11. Broner 12. Paulie 115-113 Broner damn close fight for a faded guy against a one time supposed world beater. Having said that, Broner is still 23 and most fighters at 23 are still learning the ropes. The guy needs to clean up his act outside the ropes but in between them he is learning lessons he needs.

Comments (20)

Imo a trainer change is needed. He learned all that he can learn with those guys.

10y ago

Fury4daWIN

Funnily enough, I think the exact opposite. Certain pressure fighters will always trouble Broner, while others will be good for his style. I think Rios is a very classic pressure in that he doesn't smother himself, and isn't very fast or awkward, like Maidana and Porter and he also doesn't posses the defense of either of those guys. I think Rios is exactly the kind of fight he should have taken rather than Porter. He's slower of hand and foot, and fights in quite a textbook manner, but with pressure and poor defense. That would all help Broner who doesn't want to have to chase a guy, but would like an open defense to counter shots and the speed to do it all comfortably without being smothered and mauled. I'm not sure any decent pressure fighter is right for Broner but I agree with what you wrote. Both Maidana and Porter brought that awkward rhythm and scrappy brawler style to the ring. Rios on the other hand attacks with fairly basic textbook punches and is on the whole a lot easier to read and respond to. He's never, for instance, going to suddenly rush forward throwing wild caveman swings from odd angles. Rather he'll relentlessly stalk you, maintaining a set distance, leaving himself open provided he can at some point trap you against the ropes and unload. That doesn't exactly give Broner much breathing room but it gives him a lot less to think about and therefore a better chance for him to impose his will on the fight.

10y ago

Tom_Cruise

But what does he actually have? He doesn't have stand out reflexes or hand speed or power, those are natural gifts which can plaster over technical deficiencies but Broner has none of that, so he needs to be technically excellent, which he isn't. I think he has quite a few natural physical gifts. Not like Floyd or Roy Jones, but definitely world class imo. Its his brain that doesnt work properly from what ive seen.

10y ago

soul_survivor

Putting aside any lack of natural ability, i think his biggest problem is that this is a man who is not committed to boxing. He's committed to being a so called 'star', committed to clubbing and flushing money down the toilet, but when it comes to training and dedication 24/7/365 hes lacking. It shows in how unaware he is tactically, it shows in the fact that he hasnt improved since he was 21 and it shows in his sloppy and inconsistent defence. I dont think he would ever have been a great, his feet are too slow and some people just dont have the brain for top level sports, but I dont think he is maximizing what he does have. But what does he actually have? He doesn't have stand out reflexes or hand speed or power, those are natural gifts which can plaster over technical deficiencies but Broner has none of that, so he needs to be technically excellent, which he isn't. He needs to cut out the strange behaviour. I understand playing the part of the 'bad boy'. As he's not charismatic enough to gain fans, like, say..Hatton was. So he overplays things, gets attention, gets people to hate him..hoping they will tune in to see him lose. Same kind of thing worked for Mayweather. He got attention along the way by rubbing people up the wrong way. The thing is he could fight..so he had fans for that reason. Broner can't fight particularly well. Mayweather also kept winning, so the guys who wanted to see him lose, kept coming back. Whereas Broner loses whenever he steps up. It's fun watching an 'annoying guy' lose..but when he loses often, the novelty wears off. You don't even bother tuning in, as you know what's coming. Broner needs to start over. Drop the spoilt brat image and concentrate on his fighting, because at the minute he's irrelevant. His biggest assets are his daft actions..and they aren't even working in his favour if he loses fights. Floyd had the benefit of fighting DLH to becoming a star. Broner doesn't even have anyone like that, who he can beat, in or around his weight division.

10y ago

nacho_daddy

my problem with Adrian broner is Adrian broner

10y ago

Chrismart

He needs to cut out the strange behaviour. I understand playing the part of the 'bad boy'. As he's not charismatic enough to gain fans, like, say..Hatton was. So he overplays things, gets attention, gets people to hate him..hoping they will tune in to see him lose. Same kind of thing worked for Mayweather. He got attention along the way by rubbing people up the wrong way. The thing is he could fight..so he had fans for that reason. Broner can't fight particularly well. Mayweather also kept winning, so the guys who wanted to see him lose, kept coming back. Whereas Broner loses whenever he steps up. It's fun watching an 'annoying guy' lose..but when he loses often, the novelty wears off. You don't even bother tuning in, as you know what's coming. Broner needs to start over. Drop the spoilt brat image and concentrate on his fighting, because at the minute he's irrelevant. His biggest assets are his daft actions..and they aren't even working in his favour if he loses fights.

10y ago

BennyST

I'm thinking Rios murders Broner. Rios is exactly the kind of whirlwind pressure fighter that Broner has problems with. Broner's strategy against this type of aggressive opponent is to lose rounds, getting out worked, until he can land a big punch, like round 12 vs Porter. Grab, block with the forearm. Rios is a brutal in your face fighter, and Broner will have to put something on him to keep him at bay. Funnily enough, I think the exact opposite. Certain pressure fighters will always trouble Broner, while others will be good for his style. I think Rios is a very classic pressure in that he doesn't smother himself, and isn't very fast or awkward, like Maidana and Porter and he also doesn't posses the defense of either of those guys. I think Rios is exactly the kind of fight he should have taken rather than Porter. He's slower of hand and foot, and fights in quite a textbook manner, but with pressure and poor defense. That would all help Broner who doesn't want to have to chase a guy, but would like an open defense to counter shots and the speed to do it all comfortably without being smothered and mauled.

10y ago

SHO_RULEZ

10y ago

bruzza

Firstly he needs to know when to be a class act and when not to be one. Pre-requisites fight antics were unnecessary. All that research he spent doing on porter snr he should have put that in the gym. Clearly took a day put to involve himself in things that are fight irrelevant. Secondly what he needs to do is distance himself from the mayweather camp. Floyd walking out on him after the fight is an indicator because had he won, Floyd would have been in the ring with him. Lastly he needs to stop fighting to impress Floyd. It's like he's auditioning. Begging to be accepted. That and then maybe, MAYBE we might see a much more talented broner

10y ago

Tom_Cruise

Post fight interview says it all. Kid doesn't have the heart or brains for this sport. Not at the top level anyway

10y ago

Lords

Broner does more talking with his mouth then his fists. He is who he is because of his out of the ring tactics. The guy is overrated as fuc and IMO now has 3 losses on his record as I had Paulie beating him. He's more focused on being famous then taking care of business in the ring. He'll never be a top P4P fighter and he'll never be great. He always stays in the pocket and throws a left hard jab with an occasional follow up right hand, thats it. He doesn't throw any combinations and his movement is so slow, how the hell is he supposed to beat top guys fighting like that?

10y ago

Tom_Cruise

The best boxers in the world are always thinking 2-3 steps ahead. Broner only has the capacity to think 1 step at a time. No matter how good your technique is or your reactions are you have to be able to think in this sport.

10y ago

Tom_Cruise

10y ago

soul_survivor

just gonna leave this here ....

10y ago

soul_survivor

He wobbled him pretty good early a few times. I'd probably have to re-watch it but it doesn't take away from the fact that Porter still isn't the puncher Paulie made him out to be.

11y ago

bojangles1987

But there's not enough power there to stop Broner. I haven't seen the Alexander fight since, when exactly did he hurt him? He wobbled him pretty good early a few times.

11y ago

soul_survivor

Porter hurt Alexander, he can hurt Broner. But there's not enough power there to stop Broner. I haven't seen the Alexander fight since, when exactly did he hurt him?

11y ago

bojangles1987

I don't think the catch weight will affect Porter much. LOL of course, Thurman was a long way from what he is now. I'm still waiting on "One Time" to make a real impact on the world level but the wins over Bundu and Guerrero are a good start. I don't think his power will be much against many of the top guys but he can hurt Broner and out box him down the stretch. This is a good assessment. I think Porter will simply outwork and out grit Broner, having said that, Porter doesn't really have the power to hurt broner so it could be a long night for both guys. Porter hurt Alexander, he can hurt Broner.

11y ago

soul_survivor

I'm only picking Broner to win his next fight because of the catchweight and rehydration limit. That should tell you how much I think he's improved. Porter will be on him just like Taylor was, and will definitely do more damage if the CW hasn't affected him too much. I don't think the catch weight will affect Porter much. Did you change your mind on Thurman though? LOL of course, Thurman was a long way from what he is now. I'm still waiting on "One Time" to make a real impact on the world level but the wins over Bundu and Guerrero are a good start. I don't think his power will be much against many of the top guys but he can hurt Broner and out box him down the stretch. I think that physically Porter is much stronger than Broner and Bronerwon't be able to do what Brook did, I mean he won't be able to tie up Porter on the inside and stop him with phone boot jabs. On the inside he will get mauled and he hasn't got that strong jab what Brook has. Broner's only chance if he stays in the pocket and flurry Porter with good counter combination. Broner is a good counter puncher with good handspees but for this strategy a decent footwork would be needed for him and he hasn't got that, in fact he is very stationary. And Porter will walk through his jabs like they would be nothing. This is a good assessment. I think Porter will simply outwork and out grit Broner, having said that, Porter doesn't really have the power to hurt broner so it could be a long night for both guys.

11y ago

HEND

I agree that Porter must be very confident to accept the match-up and the stipulations that come with it. But looking from the outside, I can't imagine how the stipulations won't take something away from his performance. The question is, will it be enough for Broner to get the victory? I think it will be. Porter won't have a weight advantage and he might be drained. Broner also has a pretty good inside game imo and I think he'll use it if/when Porter slows down. I think that physically Porter is much stronger than Broner and Bronerwon't be able to do what Brook did, I mean he won't be able to tie up Porter on the inside and stop him with phone boot jabs. On the inside he will get mauled and he hasn't got that strong jab what Brook has. Broner's only chance if he stays in the pocket and flurry Porter with good counter combination. Broner is a good counter puncher with good handspees but for this strategy a decent footwork would be needed for him and he hasn't got that, in fact he is very stationary. And Porter will walk through his jabs like they would be nothing.

11y ago