By Robert Segal: Adrien Broner wants a title shot against WBC 140-lb champion Regis Prograis after he gets past Bill Hutchinson on Friday.
Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs) has set a goal for himself to become the undisputed champion at light welterweight. To accomplish that, the Cincinnati native Broner will need to move fast because he’s turning 34 in July, and that’s not young for any division, especially at 140.
You can’t blame the former four division world champion fault Broner for taking a soft touch in 34-year-old Hutchinson (20-2-4, 9 KOs) on Friday in Miami because AB hadn’t fought since 2021 when he defeated Jovanie Santiago by a controversial twelve round unanimous decision.
After the Hutchinson in Broner’s rearview mirror, he needs to either try and get the title shot directly or take on a high-caliber contender that will prepare him.
One of these guys would be ideal for Broner to see whether he can hang with the best:
– Jose Zepeda
– Richardson Hitchins
– Jose Ramirez
– Arnold Barboza
– Gary Antuanne Russell
– Steve Spark
– Ryan Garcia
– Kenneth Sims
– Batyr Akhmedov
Adrien must look good against Hutchinson, though, because if he struggles against him, that would be a bad sign, indicating that he’s either shot or he needs additional tune-ups to prepare him.
Broner wants world title shot after Hutchinson
“I’m just focused on Bill Hutchinson right now, but let everyone know, be on notice because I’m coming to get all the belts,” said Adrien Broner to Fight Hub TV about his goal to become undisputed at 140.
“Hell, yeah, Regis [Prograis] already know. If he’s still got that belt [WBC light welterweight], I’m coming to take it. Nah, if anyone knows about Don [King], we’re about making money,” Broner said when asked if it would be a potential problem to set up a fight with Prograis, given that he just signed with Matchroom Boxing.
“We’re going to make it happen. We’re going to go get Regis. But we’re going to take care of this business [against Hutchinson], and then we’re going to go get Regis for sure. Of course, I always tip my hat to Regis. Every time he fights, I hope he wins.
“I don’t hate on Regis. I always shout him out. I’m happy for what he’s done. He just won another world title again. I’m proud of him too, but his name is on my list. There are a lot of people, but Regis’ name is definitely on there.
“He did what I told everyone that I thought he was going to do,” said Broner about Gervonta Davis stopping Ryan Garcia. “Tank is so talented. He still hasn’t shown all that he can do. A lot of people look at him as a puncher, but he can box, and he can bang.
“His footwork is good, and his timing is great. The first time I seen him, I told him, ‘You’re going to be a world champ.’ Since then, he’s been doing his thing. I love him to death. I was impressed.
“I knew he’d eventually stop him. Once he dropped him, I was, ‘Yeah, it’s just a matter of time.’ I think Ryan put up a good fight because I’ve got a personal relationship with Ryan as well.
“I’ve got a lot of love for Ryan too, but, of course, Tank is my big bro. Once he dropped him and started touching him clean, I was like, ‘Yeah, it’s not going to go too much longer.’ Nah, that was a perfectly placed shot,” said Broner about the body shot Gervonta Davis dropped Ryan Garcia with in round seven.
“I know his body shut down. It hit him right on the mark. When you heard him explain that his body shut down, there was nothing he could do. When you seen the hurt on his face, you kind of knew, he wasn’t going to get up. I did, once I seen the hurt on his face.
“Devin Haney, I would love to see him get in there and fight Devin Haney,” said Broner about who he wants Gervonta to fight next. “I’ve already seen them spar. That was a hell of a spar. You had to be there to see it.
“It was a hell of a match-up, and I would love for him [Gervonta] to fight for the undisputed. Still one way. I don’t want to sound biased, but I think Tank has what it takes to beat them all.
“That would be his toughest match, but I still think Tank would pull it off, even though Shakur is one of the baddest fighters out there, man,” said Broner about a fight against Shakur Stevenson.
“Honestly, his talent is different, and I’ve seen it firsthand. There’s some different s**t going on with that kid, he’s amazing, but I still feel that Tank will pull it off.
“Yeah, I think Devin won the fight,” said Broner when asked about Haney’s match against Vasyl Lomachenko. “We got some critics because the fight was so close, but I think Devin pulled it out.
“I’m happy for Devin. More power to him. If you ask me when it comes to boxing and ranking, Devin is #1 in the lightweight division. The counter-punching. He actually played into Lomachenko’s plan.
“I think if he [Haney] boxed a little bit more, he could have made it easier, but he made it harder than it could have been. But I think he pulled it out, and I’m happy for him,” said Broner.
“The only way you could fail is if you quit. I knew that all I had to do was keep pushing, and that’s what I did, and now we’re here. I think I made the right decision, and I’m happy I made the decision I made.
“I’m riding with Teofimo in this fight [against Josh Taylor on Saturday]. If he stays focused, uses his youth and his skills, I think he’s got the skills to beat this guy, even though Josh is a bad boy. I think Teofimo has got the skills to beat him, and I’m riding with Teofimo,” said Broner.
