He's back: Former champion Adrien Broner fights Feb.20

Former four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner will climb between the ropes for the first time in a couple of years when he faces Jovanie Santiago, in a 12-round super lightweight bout, on February 20 from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The card will also see former heavyweight world title challengers Dominic Breazeale and Otto Wallin in a 12-round support bout. The show will open with former world champion Robert Easter Jr. going up against contender Ryan Martin in a 12-round super lightweight bout.

Cincinnati, Ohio’s Broner, (33-4-1, 24 KO’s), has a trophy case with belts from junior lightweight to welterweight and has a wealth of world class experience having faced multi-division world champions such as Paulie Malignaggi, Marcos Maidana, Mikey Garcia, Jessie Vargas and Manny Pacquiao. For this fight, Broner will be at 135-pounds.

Broner turned pro in 2008 and within 3 years was a world champion wining the WBO world super featherweight title in 2011. He made 1 title defence before capturing the WBC world lightweight title a year later. He then made 1 defence of that title before moving up to welterweight to capture the WBA world welterweight title in June of 2013. However, he lost the belt 6-months later when he was manhandled by Marcos Maidana in December of that year.

While there is no question of Broner’s talent and natural boxing ability, his commitment at times to the regimented and disciplined lifestyle of a fighter has been questioned. During much of his championship runs, reports are that he spent as much time partying and rapping as he did preparing for fights.

After debuting as a professional, Broner went a perfect 28-0 in his first 5 years while capturing titles at super featherweight, lightweight and welterweight. However, despite capturing a world super lightweight title in title in 2015, he has gone 6-4-1 over the last 8 years. Having been out of the ring for 2 years, and now in his 30’s, Broner realizes that he must get active again and work himself back towards world title contention.

Maybe the time off has been good for him? Maybe the break has reignited his passion for the game? Time will tell.

When the fight was announced, Broner, never one to lack confidence, (win lose or draw), seemed genuinely excited to be returning to the ring to become the problem once again for fighters in and around the lightweight division.

“I can’t wait to get back into the ring. It’s been a while. This will give me a chance to display my talents and show everybody what they’ve been missing,’’ Broner said. “I’ve been training and working very hard and everybody will see all of that hard work come together on February 20”.