Adrien "The Problem" Broner is a slight underdog ahead of his June 20 bout vs. Shawn Porter, but famed trainer Robert Garcia, who trained Marcos Maidana to hand Broner the only loss of his career, doesn't think Broner should be underestimated.
"It's not an easy fight, it's going to be an exciting fight, but I'm picking Broner to win," Garcia said. "He's got tremendous skills and I hear that he's training very, very hard. That said, I think he wins the fight. It won't be easy, but I think he wins."
Since losing to Maidana in December 2013 Broner has reeled off three straight wins at junior welterweight, a division below where he was beaten. Porter represents a step back up in competition; Porter is a fellow, former welterweight champion who has fought as heavy as 154 pounds. Because of this, Broner has imposed a 145-pound catch weight, with a he-hydration clause stating neither fighter may weigh more than157 pounds on fight night.
Broner has become boxing's biggest villain not named Floyd Mayweather Jr., but beneath the heelish exterior lies toughness according to Garcia.
"Broner has a lot of heart and deserves to get respect. Just the fact that he was able to hang in there with Maidana after two knockdowns and everything that happened in that fight, he was there he hung in there," Garcia said.
"He took Maidana's best punches and went the distance and the fight was still close. He's a very tough guy, he's a very dangerous guy that a lot of people don't think so, but he could be one of the best fighters in the world. With a few good wins he could be in the Top 5 pound for pound."
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