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by David P. Greisman - You could tell that HBO was infatuated with Adrien Broner from the very beginning.
You can tell now that, this time, it’s different.
It’s different than it was with Jermain Taylor from 2004 into 2007.
It’s different than it was with Andre Berto from 2006 into 2011.
It’s different than many other American prospects who have appeared on the network in recent years, particularly those advised by the powerful Al Haymon.
It’s different because Adrien Broner seems to have the proverbial goods. And it’s different because Broner also seems to be bringing in the ratings.
There had at first been a sense, and later a sentiment, that Taylor and Berto were being forced upon us, hyped up without earning respect or building a reputation. Taylor, despite his flaws, was established from the outset as the heir apparent to middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins. Berto, despite his flaws, was portrayed as the next great welterweight to follow in the footsteps of Floyd Mayweather.
Taylor went on to top Hopkins and ascend to the throne at 160, but he never seemed fit to be king. His nickname of “Bad Intentions” soon gave way to a derisive derivative: “Bad Decisions.” Berto, meanwhile, was good enough to become a titleholder but never showed himself to be great. His loss in 2011 to Victor Ortiz, followed by his defeat last year against Robert Guerrero, proved that he was worth watching for the excitement, but they also cemented that he might not have been worth the network’s investment. [Click Here To Read More]
You can tell now that, this time, it’s different.
It’s different than it was with Jermain Taylor from 2004 into 2007.
It’s different than it was with Andre Berto from 2006 into 2011.
It’s different than many other American prospects who have appeared on the network in recent years, particularly those advised by the powerful Al Haymon.
It’s different because Adrien Broner seems to have the proverbial goods. And it’s different because Broner also seems to be bringing in the ratings.
There had at first been a sense, and later a sentiment, that Taylor and Berto were being forced upon us, hyped up without earning respect or building a reputation. Taylor, despite his flaws, was established from the outset as the heir apparent to middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins. Berto, despite his flaws, was portrayed as the next great welterweight to follow in the footsteps of Floyd Mayweather.
Taylor went on to top Hopkins and ascend to the throne at 160, but he never seemed fit to be king. His nickname of “Bad Intentions” soon gave way to a derisive derivative: “Bad Decisions.” Berto, meanwhile, was good enough to become a titleholder but never showed himself to be great. His loss in 2011 to Victor Ortiz, followed by his defeat last year against Robert Guerrero, proved that he was worth watching for the excitement, but they also cemented that he might not have been worth the network’s investment. [Click Here To Read More]
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