Adrien Broner is one of boxing's most controversial stars. His nickname "The Problem," is meant to mean that his in-ring prowess causes problems for his opponents, but it can be applied to his behavior after fights or in between them.
Broner is set to fight brawler John Molina Jr. Saturday night in the first event of Premier Boxing Champions, a series of fights set to air on NBC, CBS and Spike TV. Broner's been toned down in the buildup to this Molina fight; perhaps it's an acknowledgement of some of the resentment he's built up during his rapid rise.
"It means a lot to fight on NBC," Broner said. "I can get some new fans and hopefully I can get more people to like me than dislike me."
Broner's earned the distaste of many fans for antics like flushing money down a toilet, making crude jokes about Paulie Malignaggi hitting an ex-girlfriend prior to a fight, and pretending to hump Marcos Maidana during a fight (which he lost). Now, Broner is keeping his bold statements to events that will occur inside the boxing ring.
"I'm not expecting the fight to go 12 rounds but if it does I will be prepared for it," Broner said. "But hopefully I get this fight over with fast because in this game you don't get paid for overtime."
Broner even gave Molina credit ahead of their clash, cautioning fans against dismissing him because he has already suffered five losses in his career, including his last two.
"You can never judge a guy by his record. A guy can be 0-12 but all 12 losses can be by top-level fighters but just handle your business and you'll be OK."
Broner also vowed to fight four times in 2015, and has branded himself already as NBC's lead dog. "I am Mr. NBC and I'll be on NBC all this year," Broner said.
"Four times you will see me in the ring on NBC and I'll fight anybody who is willing to grab that rope and hang themselves."
[Ring TV]
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