By Allan Fox: Adrien ‘The Problem’ Broner took to Instagram on Wednesday to rant about Showtime not keeping him active with fights, and he might move to ESPN or Triller.
The former four-division world champion Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs) questions whether Showtime doesn’t want him to make $100-200 million.
Broner seems to be in a big hurry to fight for some reason, which some boxing fans believe is a sign that he’s desperate for money.
Adrien’s vision of the kind of money he should be making at this point of his career is out of touch with reality, given his deteriorating skills.
AB wasn’t showing the same push to get back in the ring after losing Manny Pacquiao in January 2019.
Broner was out of the ring for over a year before fighting last February, and he looked poor against a second-tier fighter.
Still young at 31-years-old, Broner says he wants to fight, and he doesn’t want to put his body through torture training for no reason.
Broner last fought two months ago, beating little-known Jovanie Santiago (14-1, 10 KOs) by a controversial 12 round unanimous decision on February 20th in Uncasville, Connecticut.
The scores for that fight didn’t match what took place inside the ring, as Broner was given a wide victory, with the judges scoring it: 116-111, 115-112, 117-110.
“@showtimeboxing, stop playing, man. I know y’all paid me good, and I love you and Al [Haymon] for that, but I got goals and wants and needs,” said Adrien Broner on Instagram.
“Right now, I am in some bull s*** where they are trying to take everything from me, and all I know is how to fight my way out or shoot my way out, and we all know y’all don’t want me to start picking guns back up, man LETS GET THIS F**** MONEY,” said Broner.
Broner’s ratings for the Santiago weren’t high as they used to be, and it’s unclear whether he can still bring in the numbers that once did.
The combination of defeats, lackluster performances, and inactivity has arguably eroded Broner’s popularity. With Broner seemingly unable to get back down to 140, which is the weight class that he has a chance of competing in, he’s not going anywhere at 147.
Broner lacks the power, punch output, speed, and size to be a major player at welterweight.
His latest performance against lower-level fighter Jovanie Santiago was a clear sign that Broner doesn’t have the talent to beat top-level fighters in the 147-lb division.
Broner is still young at 31, but he looks a lot older than his chronological age. He’s not fighting at the level that he once did when he held world titles at 130, 135, and 140.
If Broner could return to the super featherweight or lightweight divisions, he might have a chance of competing with those guys, but obviously, he can’t get back down in weight.
Broner has been too heavy for too many years for him to return to 130 and 135. Now it appears that Broner can’t even get back down to 140, which means his time as a contender is basically done.
Former WBA light-welterweight champion Regis Prograis has been calling Broner out at 140, but it’s a waste of time. If Broner can’t make weight for 140, that fight isn’t going to happen.
It would likely be bad news for Broner if he did take on Prograis because that’s a fight he probably can’t win.
“I told Al [Haymon] and [Stephen] Espinoza to keep me busy,” Broner continued. “I want to fight, train and keep my body right.
“But if you ain’t talking about me fighting, then I ain’t about to be in the gym taking my body through hell for nothing.
“They’re about to make me fight on ESPN or Triller or something because I’m not in the contract with nobody. I’ just a loyal mother f****.
“What y’all don’t want me active and make $100-200 million? Let’s go; I want to fight, bro,” said Broner.
Triller would be a good spot for Broner, seeing that they’re putting on older fighters that are over-the-hill but still popular. Broner would be at home fighting on that platform, as long as he’s matched against beatable opposition.