The old Boxing adage “Win and look good next time” applied to Adrien “The Problem” Broner 20-0(16), the young Cincinnati prospect scrapped by former world champion Daniel Ponce De Leon to claim a narrow points win. It wasn’t the most impressive performance of Broner’s career but it was against by far his toughest opponent to date. Next up he returns on HBO on 11 June against a resurgent Jason Litzau, it’s another tough fight for “The Problem” but one that could set him up for a world title fight later in 2011. At the moment he’s rated WBC 10, WBA 5 & WBO 6.
Hello Adrien, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Your last fight was a big step up for you, beating Daniel Ponce De Leon. What are your thoughts on that fight? Were you happy with your performance?
Adrien Broner – It was a great fight, I stuck to the game plan and did what I was supposed to do to get the win.
Anson Wainwright – Many people have commented on that fight saying you were negative and not very good to watch. Would you like to respond to that?
Adrien Broner – You know I wasn’t trying to be a negative person, I was just trying to be myself and do it as comfortably as possible.
Anson Wainwright – Do you think you learned a lot from fighting De Leon?
Adrien Broner – I definately learned a lot. Going to somebody elses territory and taking the win it really showed me lot. I’ll do the same things, stay focused and do what I got to do to win. I think I did a great job and put on a helluva performance.
Anson Wainwright – When do you hope to be back in action next?
Adrien Broner – June 11, it’s supposed to be Jason Litzau on HBO. I’m hearing it may take place in Texas but I don’t know yet.
Anson Wainwright – You were a very good amateur and had a lot of fights. Can you tell us what titles you won in the amateur’s and what your final record was? Can you tell us what happened to prevent yourself from fighting in the last Olympics?
Adrien Broner – National Silver Gloves, Junior Olympics I got the bronze, Junior Golden Gloves. I had over 300 fights, I know I lost 15 for sure. I never got the chance to turn up (For the Olympics) and you know things came up in my life and I had a couple of setbacks, I’m back now.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us who is in your team? Your manager, trainer, promoter? What gym do you train at?
Adrien Broner – I’m with Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya. I’m with Al Haymon Management. I’m co-promoted by R&R promotions with Andrew Williams in Cincinnati. Mike Stafford is my trainer too. I have a helluva team, my dad comes in and helps. I train in various places, sometimes I go to Colorado, sometimes I go to Texas, you know we move around. I train in Cincinnati at the Mount Arben PAL gym.
Anson Wainwright – You mentioned you’re with R&R Promotions who are based out of Cincinnati and you’ve fought there several times to date. Is building a home following something that’s important to you?
Adrien Broner – It’s very important to me, because a lot of people don’t have the fan base at home and I have a pretty good following. Soon we should have a big fight.
Anson Wainwright – If you fought at home now, how many fans do you think would come and watch you?
Adrien Broner – The sky’s the limit right now. I’d probably bring the whole of Cincinnati if I fought at home.
Anson Wainwright – You fight at 130 what are your thoughts on that division? How far do you think you are from fighting for a world title?
Adrien Broner – About one or two fights, I think I should be a world champion by the end of this year. There’s some ok guys in my division but I know I’m going to wipe out the one’s out above me.
Anson Wainwright – Have you sparred with any of the top guys at or around that weight?
Adrien Broner – Yeah, The Peterson’s, Devon Alexander, Shawn Porter, Ricardo Williams, I sparred a lot of guys, Diego Magdeleno. It went good, it was a great experience, I do what I’ve got to do, just be myself.
Anson Wainwright – How did you get into Boxing in Cincinnati growing up?
Adrien Broner – Growing up in Cincinnati was very rough, I’m coming up in the hood and rough areas. I put it all together as fuel to my fire in boxing and that’s what I’ve done and It worked out, which is great.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing? What are your hobbies and Interests?
Adrien Broner – Sometimes I play basketball, listen to music, I like Rap music. Chill with my family and play with my kids.
Anson Wainwright – Aaron Pryor was with you for the Ponce De Leon fight, Is he one of your Boxing heroes?
Adrien Broner – He was one of my first trainers when I first came to the gym, we hit the pads together and stuff so I know Aaron pretty well. I also like Roy Jones Jnr & Floyd Mayweather
Anson Wainwright – People have said after you’re last fight your Mayweather Lite. What do you think of those sort of comments?
Adrien Broner – I like them, I agree.
Anson Wainwright – Since your last fight you have travelled overseas to visit American soldiers along with Oscar De La Hoya, Seth Mitchell & Daniel Jacobs. Can you tell us about the trip?
Adrien Broner – It was great, it was the experience of my life, it’s not everyday you get to go overseas and see what’s really going on out there. These soldiers are really fighting for us and If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be able to fight today. Some of it was very emotional and touching to see those guys, they’re dedicated to what they do. They look at us like hero’s but at the end of the day they’re the real heroes because they’re the ones over there putting their life on the line defending the country. It was great.
Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?
Adrien Broner – I’m trying to be not just one of the best to come from Cincinnati but one of the best to ever be in the Boxing business.
Anson Wainwright – Finally is there anything you’d like to say in closing?
Adrien Broner – There’s definitely a problem in the game, that’s why they call me the problem. You can catch me on facebook on Adrien “The Problem” Broner or follow me on twitter at ajthe problem21.
Thanks for your time Adrien
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
Midweek Musings – I hear that after James Kirkland’s loss his trainer Kenny Adams, passed out. He’s been to hospital and I’m told doing well. Last year I spent three months in Las Vegas and spent a good deal of time with Kenny, he’s one of Boxing’s characters. He’s a helluva trainer too. I’d just like to wish him well an hope to see him back ringside soon…Rumours are that Humberto Soto hasn’t signed to face Urbano Antillon in what was a much anticipated rematch. Apparently his contract has run out with Zanfer & Top Rank and he is exploring other options, a move accross the street to Golden Boy is possible…Over on this side of the pond the Amir Khan-Paul McCloskey show has gone from PPV on Sky to ordinary Sky Sports to Primetime in the space of a week. I rate McCloskey highly and think he’s more than capable of giving Khan some trouble, though you have to figure Khan’s speed and extra class should tell…I’m looking forward to the Omar Narvaez-Cesar Seda fight Friday in Argentina, Narvaez is long reigning and very experienced champion but Seda is confident and a very live underdog…Also on Friday in Spain Jason Booth goes to fight Kiko Martinez for the vacant European Super Featherweight title. That could be a closely contested fight…On Showtime Juanma Lopez takes on grizzled former champion Orlando Salido, who’s a tough night for anyone…In the HBO show I’m expecting Andre Berto to stop Victor Ortiz who moves up to 147.
