All photos by Stephanie Trapp/Showtime
Adrien “The Problem” Broner (32-2, 24 KOs) will be returning to the ring this Saturday night, February 18 to face Adrian “Tigre” Granados (18-4-2, 12 KOs). This is Broner’s first fight back after over 13 months of out-of-the-ring commotion and personal conflict.
The former four-division world champion is claiming to be a changed man and more focused than ever.
“I’ve been living the fast life,” said Broner, who faced felony assault and aggravated robbery charges before and after his last fight, a ninth-round stoppage of Ashley Theophane last April.
“When you try to do it your way and it don’t work, you’ve got to make the right changes. It’s about wanting to do better, that’s all.”
Adrien Broner has been known to embody his nickname–“The Problem”–very well; but from recent interviews and preparation leading up this fight, he seems to have turned over a new leaf.
The question remains whether or not we will see a changed man Saturday night.
Adrien Broner typically travels to Washington DC for training camp to work alongside trainer Barry Hunter, but Broner has prepped for this fight at the Oasis Elite Boxing Club in Cincinnati–his hometown.
He explained that he believes being close to home with his two children has him in a more positive mindset heading into this 147-pound clash with Granados at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati.
“Just coming back home changes everything. It’s not about me anymore. It’s about my children. I’m doing everything for them. It’s been humbling knowing where I’ve come from. It brings you back down to earth,” said Broner.
In Cincinnati, Broner is 14-0 with 11 knockouts. This is the first bout since October of 2015 that he is fighting in his backyard.
His last fight in Cincinnati, at the U.S. Bank Arena, Broner earned a 12th-round stoppage of Khabib Allakhverdiev–walking away with the 140-pound title.
Though Broner is the betting favorite going into this fight, Granados is no slouch. Granados is a tricky veteran who carries power in both hands. Granados is on a five-fight winning streak with three of those victories coming via stoppages.
Broner is completely aware of how tough Granados is. Broner actually employed him as a sparring partner leading up to his 147-pound title defense against Marcos Maidana in December 2013.
“[Granados] is a tough competitor,” said Broner. “He’s a world-class fighter who will bring out the best in me. That’s why I picked him. It’s all about staying focused and putting on a great boxing show for the fans. I’m more focused and in a great state of mind.”
Both men are looking to keep up their winning streaks, putting it all on the line in hopes to prove themselves as top contenders in the 147-pound division. Boxing fans are in for a treat Saturday night–a chance to see the “new” Adrien Broner in action against the warrior Adrian Granados.
