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Adrien Broner got back in action tonight on Showtime, out-pointing Jovanie Santiago over 12 rounds, but it wasn’t an easy night by any estimation.
Judges had it 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110 for Broner, so, well, maybe relatively easy on a couple of their cards, while Bad Left Hook had it 114-113 Broner, with a questionable point deduction saving him from a draw on our unofficial card. Showtime’s Steve Farhood scored it 114-113 for the heavy underdog Santiago, which earned Broner’s score after the fight during his interview with Brian Custer.
Broner (34-4-1, 24 KO) hadn’t fought since Jan. 2019, so 25 months ago, and hadn’t actually won since a controversial split decision over Adrian Granados in Feb. 2017, just about four years ago to the day. Between those wins, he went 0-2-1 against Mikey Garcia, Jessie Vargas, and Manny Pacquiao, and the fact he showed some rust tonight is no big surprise. The idea that this might just be where Broner is as a fighter now is another story.
The reactions from pros on Twitter were pretty limited, maybe everyone fell asleep, but here’s what was out there:
WOW WWWWWTTTTTTTTFFFFFFFF !!!!! THATS CRAZY ANOTHER BS DECISION @SHOsports
— JERMELL CHARLO (@TwinCharlo) February 21, 2021
dam
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) February 21, 2021
I thought dude won but what I know
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) February 21, 2021
I’m trying figure out what the fuck made yall think broner lost... even with a point deduction? Y’all tripping
— Lamont Roach Jr (@OneOf1x) February 21, 2021
Santiago faught good but broner beat him the last half of the fight.
— Lamont Roach Jr (@OneOf1x) February 21, 2021
No way broner won by that much
— Enzo Maccarinelli (@theRealEnzoMac) February 21, 2021
We def wanna give Santiago his body punch credit but nothing was in effect enough to give him the rounds when Broner was landing the way more cleaner and effect punches nor did he have that much of a high punch output or pressure to give it to him
— Tony Harrison (@Iamboxing) February 21, 2021