By Dan Ambrose: A bearded and out of shape-looking Adrien Broner (27-1, 22 KO’s) announced in a video posted on his twitter site that he’ll be fighting on May 3rd against an opponent to be determined. Broner, 24, sounded like he didn’t care who he faces in the ring on May 3rd on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Marcos Maidana at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Broner could face John Molina or a similar opponent. He’s not going to fight Amir Khan.
“This is the first day of training camp,” Broner said. “It’s going down on May 3rd. I don’t know who I’ll fight.”
The way that Broner make the announcement, you would think that he’s facing a quality opponent on May 3rd, but that’s probably not going to happen. He had the chance to fight Amir Khan, but it looks like he passed up on the idea of taking that fight. Showtime Sports vice president Stephen Espinoza says that Broner will be moving down in weight for his next fight. That could be one of the reasons why he won’t be facing Khan, who is moving up to the 147 lb division and will be fighting at the full weight for the first time in his career.
Mayweather needs top names for his undercard on May 3rd in order to attract interest and to increase the pay-per-view buys on Showtime. He’s suggested that Khan and Broner fight, but that’s not going to happen. Mayweather won’t turn Broner away if he takes an easy fight against John Molina instead of a top lightweight or top light welterweight. Mayweather will understand Broner’s situation. He was badly beaten by Marcos Maidana last December, and he can’t afford to take on anyone good at 147 or even 140 after a loss like that. Broner needs to make improvements in his fighting style before he starts facing good opposition again.
In watching Broner’s mitt work, he’s showing good hand speed. The speed is there, but he’s going to need to improve his game in terms of using movement if he’s to beat the top light welterweights and lightweights. Being a stationary fighter isn’t going to help Broner beat the best fighters.
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