SAN ANTONIO – Adrien Broner just wants a little love. Mostly, he loves a stage and that’s where he asked for some Thursday during his turn at the microphone at the final news conference for his second test run at welterweight Saturday night against dangerous Marcos Maidana at the Alamodome.
“With all due respect, I really think everybody should be thanking me,’’ Broner said after introducing his monologue with thanks to all of the usual suspects gathered in a downtown ballroom. “I’m the one putting my life on the line every time I get into that ring.
“I’m the one taking off from sex, although sometimes I probably sneak and cheat.’’
The crowd chuckled, but not because anybody was surprised that Broner doesn’t honor boxing’s old-school ban on sex during training camp. After all, Broner’s flamboyant reputation precedes him. It’s fair to assume he abstains about as often as he is shy.
The laughs were there, simply because Broner is willing to say – and do – almost anything. On the scale of mundane to over-the-line, the laugh-meter often soars into the red zone of outrage. But that’s Broner. It’s why some like him. Why some hate him. By the way, he also thanked the haters Thursday.
It’s hard to know whether all the talk is just shtick or genuine. Maybe, it’s a mix of both. Maybe, it comes from a streak of insecurity. To wit: He talks, talks and talks so he doesn’t have to listen the critics. Or, maybe, it’s a well-rehearsed act designed to attract attention that separates him from the faceless fighters who casual fans will never know. Whatever the motivation, Broner is getting known, gaining notoriety, for his X-rated style of showmanship. But it’s dangerous role. Comedians get booed off the stage all the time. But they don’t get knocked out.
Broner might. At least, some think he might get stopped by Maidana, whose paralyzing brand of power is defined by 31 stoppages in 37 bouts. Nothing about Broner’s noisy reputation will deflect the Maidana punches bound to come his way Saturday night in a Showtime-televised bout. If the taciturn Maidana (34-3, 31 KOs) lands a punch, it could prove to be a very different kind of punch line. It could turn Broner into a joke. But Broner is willing to take that chance. Call him fearless. Call him foolhardy. He’s been called both and a lot more. He just calls himself the next, the heir apparent.
“I’m going to take over boxing when Floyd Mayweather is finished,’’ said Broner (27-0, 22 KOs), a lightweight champion who is making his second appearance at 147 pounds after he escaped on June 22 from his welterweight debut with a split-decision over Paulie Malignaggi.
Those are bold words. Then again, what isn’t from Broner? He is compelled to put on a show, which is exactly what he did at a news conference that included emerging super-bantamweight star Leo Santa Cruz, dangerous welterweight Keith Thurman and former super-middleweight champion Jermain Taylor, who is embarking on another controversial comeback Saturday.
Broner, who said he’ll be the first to stop Maidana, turned everybody into a bit player. He wore a cap emblazoned with his trademark logo, Band Camp, a stable that also includes three-time Olympian Rau’shee Warren, now 16-0 as a bantamweight. His head bobbed up and down, one way and then another. He threw short punches, one after another. He mocked Maidana’s turn at the podium by clapping his hands in a slow, exaggerated manner that needed no interpretation. Come on, man, is that all you’ve got.
When it was his turn, he shuffled and danced across the stage as though he was about to embrace the waiting microphone. He was that restless grade-school kid squirming in his seat at the back of the class.
He couldn’t wait. Couldn’t sit still.
Couldn’t keep quiet either.
