Adrien Broner says he has turned over a new leaf and is no longer a “sh*t talker anymore”. The normally brash and outlandish Broner cut a new figure ahead of his ring return against Mexican-American Adrian Granados this Saturday night, exclusively live on BoxNation.
Taking place in Broner’s home city of Cincinnati, Ohio, the 27-year-old will be back in action following over 10 months out of the ring due to personal problems and now insists he is a changed man ready to do the business in front of his local fans.
“I know everyone is used to me coming up and being boastful. That’s not me anymore. I have a lot of respect for Adrian Granados and he’s a great fighter,” said Broner.
“A businessman that can fight. That’s what I am nowadays. I’m not a sh*t talker anymore. I’m a businessman that knows how to fight.
“I just want to put on a great performance for everyone in Cincinnati. It’s going to be a special atmosphere and I want to give them their money’s worth.
“I’ve had an amazing training camp and I feel great right now. I’m very thankful to my team who have helped me get to this point in my career,” Broner said.
Fighting at welterweight, 27-year-old Granados goes into the fight as the underdog but an impressive string of wins, which includes victory over the highly-touted prospect Amir Imam, gives him confidence to shock Broner.
“I’m excited for this weekend. I’m ready to go. I’ve been through a lot but we’re ready. I’m not here to lay down. I’m here to take home a victory for Chicago and for my people,” Granados said.
“People that think I’m an underdog don’t know me. They don’t know the tricks I have up my sleeve. I plan on thriving in the underdog position. Saturday I’m expecting a great fight. It is going to be a kill or be killed-type of fight. It is going to be a very exciting night for all of us.
“I’ve watched Adrien fight live on TV and in the arena many times. Spending eight weeks with him [in camp], I think I know him more than most people. I plan on winning in a stoppage or a unanimous decision – no matter what, I’m leaving with a victory,” he said.
The exciting card will also see the return and move up to welterweight for former champion Lamont Peterson who will be looking to challenge the very best at 147 pounds, including a possible rematch with Amir Khan following a controversial 2011 victory.
First, however, he must get through a tough assignment of Russian David Avanesyan, who has only lost once in 24 fights, that being in just his second professional fight nearly 8 years ago.
33-year-old Peterson, who has been out of the ring since October 2015, says he is ready to deal with Avanesyan’s unorthodox style and win late into the fight.
“Avanesyan switches from southpaw to orthodox a lot, which is something we had to be prepared for. We’ve sparred with guys from both sides and gotten a lot of good rounds there,” said Peterson.
“He’s a strong fighter too. You know a Russian fighter is going to come in with power. We made sure I’ll be able to match him anytime the fight gets rough. I’ll be ready for anything. I think my speed will give him trouble.
“He’s been able to handle everything in the past, but that doesn’t mean I won’t have advantages. I’m the more experienced fighter and I have the skills to get the win. I feel like I’m going to get him out of there. I’m predicting a late stoppage,” he said.
Broner v Granados is exclusively live on BoxNation this Saturday night via Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon). Buy now at boxnation.com.
Adrian Granados talks about Broner fight for Sat
“I broke down and cried and screamed to coach, ‘I’m going to win this fight. I’m going to win this fight for him.’” – Adrian Granados
Top-rated contender Adrian Granados opens up in an intimate interview with Sports Emmy® Award-Winning writer Mark Kriegel in the latest edition of the reoccurring SHOWTIME Sports® digital series, THE REVEAL with Mark Kriegel.
As Granados prepares to meet four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner Saturday, Feb. 18, live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) in Cincinnati, Ohio, he talks about his struggles, the loss of his long-time friend Ed Brown and what lies ahead for him on fight night.
A tough Mexican-American from Chicago, Granados enters this fight on a five-bout winning streak, including his impressive stoppage over then unbeaten top contender Amir Imam in November 2015. Most recently, the 27-year-old dominated Ariel Vasquez over eight rounds in July. With a win over Broner, Granados can position himself for his first career world title shot.
Below are excerpts from the interview:
MARK KRIEGEL: “What does this fight represent to you?”
ADRIAN GRANADOS: “Cubs just won. This is my own World Series, you know. It took me this long to finally get a big fight, but I got it. This is going to be my coming out. I know a lot of people don’t know who I am. Those who do know me, they know I come to fight.”
KRIEGEL: “One of the guys who does know you is Adrien Broner. You were in his camp for Marcos Maidana. What stands out to [you] about him?”
GRANADOS: “He’s a great fighter. I mean, it’s no fluke that he is a four-division world champion.”
KRIEGEL: “Did he ever hurt you?”
GRANADOS: “Definitely, we are humans. He can crack. He just had that explosive power. He had 16-ounce gloves and it felt like he was hitting me with his bare fist. He just hits hard.”
KRIEGEL: “Did you ever hurt him?”
GRANADOS: “Definitely. I know I did. He may not admit it. Yeah, I know I had him bloodied a couple times. I know I had him backing up a couple of times. You just know as a fighter when you crack somebody.”
On the passing of top prospect and friend Ed Brown…
GRANADOS: “I believe it was a Sunday. I was in a barbershop…They were like, ‘I heard about your boy.’ And I’m … trying to keep it together. I just called George, our coach. He told me, ’Yeah man, Ed has died. Ed is dead.’ And right there I broke down and cried and screamed to coach, ‘I’m going to win this fight. I’m going to win this fight for him.’”
