FanPost

Adrien Broner: The Future American Action Hero? Only If AB is About Boxing

After the announcement that Adrien Broner will return to boxing on NBC, part of Haymon's 'Premier Boxing Champions' which will explore the new frontier of cable boxing in the 21st century (Ohh how far society and sport has advanced, what is new and exciting in 2015 was ordinary and common place in the 1970's). I'm only partly kidding, and entirely excited for watching these cards on a network that presumably will draw more eyes to the sport I enjoy watching over any other. This fanpost however, which started as a long winded response to Kobe, is something I have decided to transform in hopes that it will maximize viewers and prompt a discussion about Adrien Broner and his long term prospects regarding his career, which is something that is often not the focal point of a discussion about the boxer turned traveling ringmaster of his own self-aggrandizing circus.

I have had the distinct pleasure of watching Broner from his early beginnings, I actually was in attendance for his first title at 130, albeit a farce of a title against an opponent that had no business fighting for a belt but I was able to watch a handful of fights prior to that crowning achievement as well. I saw a talented fighter, with the potential to fight on boxing's biggest stages, and the young man I saw achieved enough to thrust himself into the spotlight in the sport he dedicated himself to early on. Unfortunately, his antics of late have taken priority to the talent he possess', allowing the caricature he has constructed of himself to be spoken of more than his ability.

His last time out, we saw Broner face Taylor in a fun, competitive fight. At moments we saw glimpses of a talented young fighter, but those moments were fleeting. The ability is there one sequence, and concealed the next which may be a result of him messing around, not fighting to his strengths, or just generally not following his gameplan. The only thing consistent about Broner and his application of that talent is how sporadic the moments in which that talent shines through really are.

I hope he handles Molina, and I hope he goes on to have success at 140 and on, against fighters of Matthysse’s quality would make me even happier. I do have reservations though on the likelihood of that, the flaws and inconsistencies that I saw for years, and knew would eventually lead to a defeat surfaced against Maidana and a determined opponent took advantage in a big way. I still am concerned that his lacking in the work ethic department, his footwork, punch volume, and just general inability to follow a game plan will cause him to fall short of his potential. Hopefully he dedicates himself to the sport, and is able to make good on the talent that is rightly recognized. Even if he doesn't make the most of the talent that could lead him to be a top fighter, if he fought to his strengths he would be at minimum a staple on networks as a fan-friendly fighter.

I’m sure that is tough for some to imagine, Adrien Broner, a facet of fan-friendly fire fights on a regular basis; but should he dedicate himself to boxing, at worst he would consistently be in exciting fights like the Taylor fight and I expect, far exceeding in levels of entertainment. Broner needs to accept that he can have his own personality, and he doesn’t need to fight on his back foot and throw check hooks. The Broner I saw at 130 and prior to his first title even, on through 135 was an offensive fighter that had a variety of weapons which still could be utilized at Junior Welterweight. It is time for him fight to his strengths, he isn’t Floyd Mayweather, but he could still be Adrien Broner, and that is a man that could be a heck of a fun fighter to watch.

What do you all think about the prospects of Adrien Broner? Do you feel that he will be a highly touted prospect that flames out far short of expectations? He will mature and find his own style and find success consistently at a championship level? Or as I suggested, his offensive ability, and defensive deficiencies will provide just the right mix of talent and vulnerabilities that will establish Broner as an action fighter. What does BLH see in AB's future?

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