Adrien Broner
CHAMP TOO GOOD FOR ANYBODY AT 135!
San Francisco, CA– Fresh off his win over Gavin Rees, WBC 135 lb. champion Adrien Broner, the flashy fighter out of Cincinatti, OH looks like he’s physically prepared to meet bigger (and better) foes. Looking at the lightweight challengers of note, Brandon Rios’ name keeps popping up here in reader comments. Before I go on and praise Broner, and to a lesser extent Rees (37-2) for “bringing it,” Rios is not a lightweight and is now rated at 140 (jr. welterweight).
BRONER PULLED BRANDON RIOS MOVE
Broner got chided for this when he didn’t make 130 in a televised event against an outsized and over matched Vicente Escobedo (26-3). Rios, a controversial decision winner last year over Richard Abril that still reaks of inept scoring or worse, is no longer rated at 135. Outside of Abril (17-3-1, 8 KOs) and Ricky Burns (35-1, 10 KOs) of the UK, Adrien doesn’t have another opponent that can make
him additional coinage. Broner-Burns in England woud be a huge event that will leave the Brits crying in their beer afterwards. Miguel Vazquez, although technically sound and the IBF champ, the Mexican would end up snoring like Manny Pacquiao. Mr.’s Burns and Vazquez meet next month and I can’t see Broner waiting six months to fight again.
140 LBS. LOOKS LIKE NEXT BRONER STOP
Although the 135 lb. weight class lacks worthy foes, the jr. welterweight (140) is busting out at the seams with the types of names Adrien needs to vanquish in order to be anointed “great.” Starting off with champion Danny Garcia (25-0, 16 KOS), Broner-Garcia could happen quicker than you imagine if Garcia vanquishes Zab Judah (42-7, 29 KOs) in their scheduled April 27th bout. There is also Lucas Martin Matthysse (33-2, 31 KOs), the aforementioned Brandon Rios (31-0-1, 23 KOs), Amir Khan (27-3, 19 KOs), maybe test the waters with the still green Karim Mayfield (17-0-1, 10 KOs). As for 147, etc., no speculating until Broner breaks down the vast array of talent at 140.
Pedro Fernandez