Broner: Nothing Has Changed, I Ain't Said Sh*t To Ya'll

By Jake Donovan

Adrien Broner has a tough fight on his hands this weekend, but seems to have struggled just as much in maintaining his vow of silence towards the media.

The former three-division champ decided to swear off all pre-fight interviews and media coverage ahead of his Showtime-televised headliner with Khabib Allakhverdiev this weekend at US Bank Arena in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. The move has proven to be a public relations nightmare, with little buzz surrounding his first home game in 13 months. Aside from the initial presser last month - where Broner said one word while having his personal assistant handle all matters behind the mic - no other media events have taken place prior to fight week.

Showtime released a teaser video earlier in the week, suggesting a more mature fighter will take center stage on Saturday night. Perhaps he's saving it all for the ring, as it certainly wasn't evident in his grand arrival during Thursday's final pre-fight press conference.

The local boxer literally sang and danced his way to his place on stage, where his team members - including head trainer Mike Stafford and Ravone Littlejohn, president of About Billions Promotions - were already seated and awaiting their turn to speak.

“Thanks Adrien for showing up,” Littlejohn calmly stated, perhaps making note of his fighter attending a session in which he previously suggested he would not take part.

Broner's actions prompted the event's lead promoter, Leon Margules to do his best to make light of the situation.

“I thought we were partners,” Margules, head of Warriors Boxing quipped to Broner.

“We are; I almost didn't show up,” Broner replied, with nary a trace of shame in his tone.

True to his word, Broner merely participated in the press conference without actually offering anything in the way of media sound bytes. Unlike his flashy lifestyle, his words were brief and flavorless.

“I told you I wouldn’t do any interviews or talk. Nothing has changed, since I still ain't said sh*t to y'all,” Broner (30-2, 22KOs) stated as only he can, two days away from his first fight since dropping a 12-round decision to Shawn Porter in June.

The defeat came at a catchweight, with his lone other career loss having taken place in a welterweight title losing effort to Marcos Maidana in Dec. '13. Broner remains unbeaten at every weight from 140 lbs. and lighter, and insists nothing will change on Saturday night. 

“I will be victorious on Saturday night, October 3,” Broner promised, his final spoken words before moving to the front of the podium.

Broner stood in that position for a solid minute, waiting for Allakhverdiev to join him. Confusion briefly set in before event handlers figured out what was going on. 

“Adrien, what are you doing?” Margules asked, wondering why the boxer was so anxious for the obligatory staredown. “We're not up to that part yet. I still have to remind everyone to buy tickets.”

We can only imagine what Broner will have to say once he finally permits himself to let loose after the fight. For now, fans can take comfort that he at least has on his game face for a must-win situation awaiting him this weekend.

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