Adrien Broner “getting old” says Michael Williams Jr

By Boxing News - 02/10/2023 - Comments

By Jake Tiernan: Michael Williams Jr says Adrien Broner is “getting old,” and he’s not the same fighter he was 10+ years ago, during his heyday.

Broner is 33, but he looks old for that age, and he’s coming off a two-year layoff.

AB’s physical condition at the start of his camp was dreadful, with him sporting a large pot belly that you normally see from someone who hasn’t been taking care of themselves.

Unfortunately, when a person lets themselves go as long as Broner has, they can’t just flip a switch and whip themselves into shape in three months and expect to perform in an athletic event as they had over ten years ago.

The 23-year-old Williams Jr (20, 13 KOs) feels that his fight with the former four division world champion Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs) will the launching pad for his career when they meet in the 10-round main event on BLK Prime PPV on February 25th at the Gateway Center Arena, College Park, Georgia.

As far as Williams Jr is concerned, the 33-year-old Broner shouldn’t even be fighting at 147-lb division because he doesn’t belong in that weight class. Broner’s best weight class was at 130, and he’s looked terrible at 140 & particularly 147.

Broner overlooking Williams Jr

Adrien doesn’t possess the size or the power to compete at welterweight, and Williams Jr expects that be highlighted when he faces the aging former superstar on February 25th.

Williams Sr., the father of Michael, says Broner started training camp at over 200 pounds, and he’s just been training to look good for pictures, but he’s not going to be in boxing shape on the night.

That is to say, Broner is going to be weak & drained like he was when he fought Mikey Garcia in 2017. Like this one, Broner’s training camp for the Garcia fight was a fat farm in which he spent a lot of time trying to melt the pounds off so he could make the 140-lb limit.

“Those top guys he fought, that was 20 years ago. He’s getting old, and he’s not the same AB anymore. Things change. Everybody goes through their moments in life. When he was popping in the age and he was sharp, that’s me right now,” said Michael Williams Jr to Fighthype about Adrien Broner getting old & past it.

“It flipped, so I’m coming in there and bringing that force. I’m the young guy. He’s definitely smaller. I’m taller, bigger. He shouldn’t be fighting at 147, and we’re going to show him why.

“Yeah,” said Williams Jr when asked if Broner was overlooking him. “‘I got this kid to fight. Let me get this over with,'” said Williams Jr about how Broner is overlooking him.

“He’s not as big and tall as Bauza was,” Williams said about Adrien. “Weight cut, we’re not worried about that for this fight. We’re a whole another mindset. Where we’re at now, it’s definitely good. We’re ready.”

YouTube video

Adrien trained to look good for pictures

“AB spent his whole camp just to look good for pictures,” said Mike Williams Sr. “From 200 pounds all the way to 147. He’s going to feel the same way Mike Williams Jr felt when Mike was walking about at 160-something and dropped all the way down to 137. It’s going to be hard to perform.

“They think Mike Williams is easy work. They figure, ‘We lose the weight. You don’t have to box. You already skilled enough to beat this kid. This kid is bringing some heat. AB has got to close the distance and everything, and he’s going to catch a lot of punches coming in,” said Williams Sr.

“We’re ready. We’re coming in with another preparation for this fight. Everything is going to be different,” said Williams Jr about him being better prepared for Broner than he was for his match against John Bauza.

“Fireworks. It’s going to be an entertaining fight,” said Williams Jr when asked what boxing fans can expect to see on February 25th in his match against Broner.  “Whatever he brings, we’re definitely going to bring the energy back.

“So if he wants to get crazy, we’re definitely going to bring the same force back. Plus, he’s an entertainer and I’m an entertainer, so we get to see who is going to rise to the top.  He’s got something to prove and I definitely got something to prove. We’re going to see who the best man that day is. Y’all tune in, man,” said Williams Jr.

Broner getting a “second chance”

“I can’t wait to get back out there and show everyone what I’m made of,” Broner said. “I’ve got a lot to prove, and I’m going to do it with my fists. I’m back and better than ever, and I’m going to make the most of this second chance,” said Broner.