Tag Archives: matchup

Posted on 06/02/2017

Mikey Garcia Prepares To Enter Boxing’s Elite Realm
By: Sean Crose

Now that Adrien Broner and Mikey Garcia are set to fight at 140 lbs this summer, expect a whole ton of talk about whether or not Broner will rise to the occasion. I’ve no doubt I’ll be engaging in such talk myself. Broner is, if nothing else, a fascinating study: A tough, talented, colorful guy who essentially keeps stepping in it. Garcia, however, is fascinating in his own right. Of course, Garcia – unlike Broner – isn’t made of TMZ material. The guy’s a pro who goes about his life and business accordingly. In short, he’s Broner’s opposite.

The truth is that people prefer Broner to Garcia, whether they want to admit it or not, because Broner makes what they used to call “good copy.” In short, he’s showy. Garcia, talented though he is, is only showy if by showy you mean productive, hard working and well thought out in one’s opinions – in other words, the sorts of things the general public seems to get bored with. No matter. Garcia is on the verge of entering boxing’s elite realm – a strange place that requires more than talent and impressive wins. And he’ll enter that realm if he beats Broner convincingly. The Californian has a high end skill set, coupled with explosive power. All he needs is a win against a big name opponent.

And now that opponent has been lined up to face him.

Broner is no joke, though, no matter how it seems that he himself has tried to be over the years. He’s a formidable foe who, for whatever reason, has plateaued in his ring ability. That ring ability, however, is impressive. Broner is fast, he can hit, and he’s tough. Really tough. The man can, as Timex once claimed, take a licking and keep on ticking. Garcia’s never met anyone like him. Should Broner be at his best when he enters the ring this July, Garcia will have quite the mountain to climb if he wants to emerge victorious.

After spending years out of the sport, though, Garcia is clearly confident and ready for the challenge. Due to contractual problems, the man went over two years without a single fight. Since returning last July, however, Garcia has completely destroyed the competition, knocking out Elio Rojas in five and then demolishing Dejan Zlaticanin in frightening fashion within three. Yet Broner is clearly the biggest name the man has faced. And, as all fight fans know, big names lead to other big names, if, of course, you win.

That’s always as very big if.

Posted on 04/30/2017

Adrien Broner and Timothy Bradley: Win-win situation
By: Kirk Jackson

Timothy Bradley 33-2-1 (13 KO’s) called out Adrien Broner 33-2 (24 KO’s) and simply asked why not?

It’s a valid question and for Bradley, Broner appears to be a fine tune-up for something potentially bigger down the line.

The last time Bradley stepped in the ring was last April, in a lopsided losing effort against Manny Pacquiao. The third and hopefully final bout of their trilogy.

The soon to be 34-year-old is in the last phase of his fighting career and is probably seeking highly lucrative bouts before hanging up his gloves.

His legacy is set, albeit he is one of the most underrated, unappreciated fighters over the last 15 years. Bradley is a Hall of Fame quality fighter.

If Bradley were to retire today, he goes out as a five-time world champion across two weight classes, he defeated 11 world champions, defeated two future Hall of Famers (Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao) and is the only person aside from Floyd Mayweather, who can claim victories over Marquez and Pacquiao.

In regards to Broner, this appears to be a good match-up for Bradley from a stylistic standpoint.

The only man to defeat Bradley is Pacquiao and the problems presented by Pacquiao were the hand speed, foot speed, angles in combination with the punching power.

Broner possesses they attributes and some may argue he is even more athletic than Pacquiao; difference being Broner has a different method of implementing these traits – in some cases he does not fully utilize these gifts to his advantage.

In spite of his athletic ability and foot speed, Broner fights flat footed; defensively does not always present angles to his opposition and tends to lean back, allowing himself to be a hittable target at times. Broner also has a low punch output as he tends to rely on sharp counter-punching as his offense.

Bradley may believe he can take advantage of Broner’s flat footed-ness and he can overwhelm Broner with activity – similar to Marcos Maidana and Shawn Porter. Maidana and Porter are the only fighters to hand Broner a defeat.

It appears Broner is down for the clash as well.

This is a great opportunity for Broner, especially since he wants to fight Pacquiao at some point. Why not defeat a common adversary shared with Pacquiao and get his attention.

Bradley and Pacquiao share the same promoter (Top Rank, Bob Arum). The concept of fighting Bradley presents an opportunity for Broner, his manager Al Haymon and for Arum to work together.

If this goes well, this continues to open doors down the line for Broner and other Top Rank fighters – most notably Pacquiao.

Broner mentioned returning to the ring in June or July, which leaves a fight in the fall for Bradley if not Pacquiao.

The self- proclaimed ‘Problem,’ can also silence many critics by defeating a credible opponent.

Broner gets a bad rap, has a bad reputation. Some of it is self-inflicted, but let’s not forget he is a talented fighter.

With all of the negativity surrounding his name, let’s not forget he’s only lost twice; those losses coming at welterweight against bigger guys like Maidana and Porter.

Let’s also remember he is a four-time world champion across three-weight classes and defeated five world champions thus far in his career.

If Broner can overcome a style like Bradley’s; a style that can resemble a rugged, overbearing, aggressive, physical and mentally demanding war, it can display Broner’s maturity as a fighter.

Bradley’s style is not quite the same in comparison to Porter or Maidana, as all three fighters have different physical builds and attributes.

Broner and Bradley have comparable physiques – which bodes to Broner’s favor. Both guys are listed as the same height (5′ 6″) and the same reach (69 inches).

Although Bradley may have the heart, will and activity to outwork Broner, he does not necessarily possess the punching power to bend Broner’s will.

Broner turns 28-years-old this year and Bradley will be 34-years-old. Age is on the younger man’s side and the physical tools may be as well.

Each fighter has strengths entering this fight, it’s a great opportunity for both fighters and it’s actually a good fight.