Mike Stafford: Too much expected of Adrien Broner

Adrien Broner has become a rising star in large part due to his excellent (relatively) use of social media platforms, his ability to constantly stay in the boxing discussion, hard-sell pushes from HBO and now Showtime, and because he's talked himself up, too, as the next big thing in the boxing game, the future Floyd Mayweather.

But trainer Mike Stafford feels as though Broner's debated and very competitive win over Paulie Malignaggi on June 22 hasn't gotten enough respect, as fans and media expect too much of Broner. From Chris Robinson at Hustleboss.com:

"They're always going to be harsh. He's 23 and he's fighting a 33-year old veteran and they don't give him no credit. That's crazy. The kid aint nothing but 23 and doing a spectacular thing. They expect too much out of him. And they feel that he doesn't hold up to what they think he's supposed to do and they're saying he's not the one. And that's not fair. The bottom line, whether you knock a person out or win a split-decision, you want to win. And that's the main thing."

Stafford is conveniently ignoring that Broner has put these expectations on himself, and that even if Golden Boy, HBO, and SHO had not pumped him up as a future superstar, expectations would probably still be sky-high. Broner (27-0, 22 KO) talks up his performances well ahead of time, and very loudly so. He demands the attention and the expectations. I think it's a little weak to then turn that around and say it's everyone else's fault that Broner slipping past Malignaggi is seen as something of a disappointment -- ol' About Billions said he'd knock Malignaggi out. Not only did he not do that, he didn't come close, and there were people who thought Paulie outworked him.

Look, Broner's win over Malignaggi was a good, solid win in his debut at 147, and one thing I will say is that I think because of the way everyone has been chasing easy or bogus titles in so many weight classes in recent years, we do ask too much on that front. Broner's 23 and has already won paper belts in three weight classes. It's certainly an achievement, even if titles are easier than ever to come by if you're properly connected, which Broner is and then some.

Stafford also responded to Floyd Mayweather Sr's recent criticisms of Broner imitating his son:

"I don't think Floyd should be trying to answer questions for his son. I think his son is in control of his own destiny. He's 44 and 0; he don't need nobody telling him who he should fight. It's up to the kids. I'm not going to get into no talking matches with Floyd Sr. I respect him. He don't know nothing about Adrien and I don't think he know the relationship of Floyd and Adrien. I think that he should leave that situation alone and let them handle that. We've got a great relationship with Al Haymon and Floyd's got a good relationship with Al Haymon. I think Floyd Sr. is talking for Floyd Sr., I don't think he's talking for his son."

On this, he is mostly likely simply correct.