By: Sean Crose
It’s been an important week for boxing, so it’s understandable that Adrien Broner’s latest comeback bout is a bit under the radar. However, it is worth remembering that Broner was once one of the hottest boxers in the sport. Indeed, about a decade ago, he was billed as the next Floyd Mayweather. However, that never happened to the man. Whether it’s due to lack of talent, lack of discipline, emotional issues or all three, Broner has lost every major fight he’s been in (except likely the victory over Paulie Malignaggi by almost ten years). before). Now Broner is ready to return to the sport once again.
Thursday night, at the Miami Jai Alai Casino in Miami, Broner 34-4-1 will play for the first time in more than two years as he takes on the virtually unknown Bill Hutchinson 20-2-4 in one round. scheduled 10 matches in welterweight. If Broner wins the fight, the public will most likely take a wait-and-see attitude. After all, Broner is back before. Sure, he’s only fought a few times over the past few years. On the other hand, if Broner loses to Hutchinson, it will likely be seen as another sign that the Cincinnati boxer is not as present in the ring as he once was.
It’s worth noting that Broner is only 33 years old – young enough to make a real comeback. Again, however, there is the question of discipline, as well as mental health. There is also the question of the fighter’s talent. Could Broner really peaked a decade ago? Was it simply that he would never be able to rise to the heights of some of his peers? No one seems to know the answers to such questions. Perhaps not even Broner himself knew. With that said, whether he’s reached the top or not, Broner has always been a quality fighter. Perhaps not a great fighter, but a quality one. And another entertainment inside the ring.
However, is it worth paying the Pay Per View fee to see him face Hutchinson on Thursday? That may depend on how loyal a loyal fan is, though Broner-Hutchinson’s price tag isn’t particularly high. Broner has now teamed up with famed (Or infamous?) promoter, Don King, who himself is not the force in boxing he once was. Could he, like Broner, be on the verge of a return to glory – or will both men more or less stand on the sidelines of the sport they once thrived on?
