Broner Continues To Be An Enigma In Boxing

Simon Ruvalcaba

An excerpt from a past article I wrote (fighthype.com August 2, 2012 “Boxing Still Provides a Cup of Tea For Every Fan”):

Adrien Broner:

“Broner is probably the biggest enigma (in boxing). Some of his antics include brushing off making weight for his fight with Vicente Escobedo to taking his own sweet time to meet in the center of the ring upon the referee’s instructions after introductions. Although he comes off as cocky and arrogant, his friends and camp will tell you he’s simply misunderstood and is really a great guy. I just hope, in the future, he shows more professionalism, maturity, and respect for the sport then he has appeared to thus far.

Lest you think I’m hating on him, here’s what I truly feel about Adrien Broner the fighter. I first saw him perform in November of 2008. It was his fourth professional fight against usually durable veteran Terrance Jett on the undercard of Ricky Hatton vs. Paulie Malignaggi in Vegas. He pounded Jett so terribly that James was returning to his corner screaming in pain. After the action was mercifully stopped 33 seconds into the sixth round, I distinctly remember two things. First, I was keeping a close eye on Jett, and tried to get hold of his trainer/manager Luis Tapia, as I was thinking in my mind he was a candidate for one of those fighters that collapses in his dressing room after a fight. Secondly, I remember sending a text to my editor, Ben Thompson, to let him know something to the effect that there was a rising star and one to keep an eye on from his neck of the woods (Cincinnati, Ohio).

The reality of Broner as he moves up to lightweight is that I can’t find a fighter in the division on paper that I wouldn’t have “The Problem” as a favorite against. One should also remember that Broner is only 22 years old. I suspect that ten years from now, he’ll look back at some of his antics during this time and admit that he did need to mature a bit and was maybe, at the time, an overconfident fighter? Many believe AB to be a Mayweather clone, he has all the makings of a superstar. Whether you like him and watch to see him win, or you hate him and watch in hopes that he loses, Simply put, you will be watching him. Fans will be there to see him succeed or fail, which means he’ll put asses in seats, making him a boxing moneymaker.”

Six plus years later, just moments away from a defining bout against Manny Pacquiao in a fight that can supersede all of the ups and downs of the past years, Broner remains a mystery but a great charismatic promoter. If AB is all business tonight? He may rise to the occasion and remind the boxing public what a special talent he always was!

About the Editor

Simon Ruvalcaba

Army Veteran and former Professional Boxer Simon Ruvalcaba started boxing at the age of ten and Had a 71 fight amateur career which featured a 139 lbs. 1998 8th U.S. Army Boxing Championship out of Camp Casey, Korea and a spot on the prestigious Army Boxing Team at Fort Hood, TX. After a journeyman pro career of 18 fights, which included sparring sessions with many champions and contenders including Julio Cesar Chavez and Pernell “Sweat Pea” Whitaker, Simon started writing and has contributed to many publications and websites including fighthype.com, pound4pound.com, Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, CA), Nevada Appeal (Carson City, NV). He has also been the Boxing Instructor for Ken Shamrock and The Lions Den and was MMA and Bareknuckle star Paige VanZant’s first boxing coach!
Born and Raised in South Lake Tahoe, California he now resides in Sun Valley, Nevada and spends as much time as possible with his Sons Gabriel and Oscar! Beyond boxing, Simon is an all around sports fanatic and is passionate about the teams that he roots for. Simon also works as a Sportsbook Supervisor for Caesars Sportsbook in Lake Tahoe.