Adrien Broner’s comments about gravy, fornication show he hasn’t changed

Adrien Broner hasn’t boxed in over two years, but he’s coming back against Jovanie Santiago. Some things have changed, but others stayed the same.

Boxer Adrien Broner is a lightning rod for attention, and he’s making his way back to the boxing ring, slightly rebranded as a more dedicated and mature person and fighter.

However, even Broner admits he’s still the same AB.

During the start of his boxing career, Broner looked like the next great talent who would take over the sport in years to come. His 2012 dismantling of Antonio DeMarco to win the WBC lightweight title looked like it would be the launching pad of a superstar career.

Zoom ahead 9 years, four losses, and one draw later, and Broner still makes headlines but often for all the wrong reasons. His career has been on a downward spiral since his 2013 loss to Marcos Maidana, where he talked a lot only to get beat up and dropped twice in the process.

Broner didn’t seem to learn from the Maidana fight. He continued to say outlandish things while underperforming in the ring. Legal troubles also ensued and reoccurred.

Broner has been away from the sport for more than two years since his last outing in 2019 against Manny Pacquiao, which resulted in a unanimous decision loss.

On Saturday, Feb. 20, on Showtime, Broner will enter an empty Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, to fight Jovanie Santiago. Pictures and video of Broner in the gym give hope that he’s serious about returning to championship status. Broner said some encouraging words about positive life changes he has made in his renewed commitment to boxing.

“I went through a lot of things, honestly,” said Broner during a media conference. “One day, I just woke and said, ‘I’m done.’ In order to change, you’ve got to make change, or you’ll steady get caught up doing the same thing. I cut a lot of stuff, I stopped doing a lot of stuff, and I got myself together. It was a long road to get to where I’m at today, and now I’m here.”

Broner expanded on his two-year layoff to FanSided during the press conference.

“I don’t know how long you’ve worked without taking a break, but for me, it was like from like six years old to what, 30? I never took a break from boxing. I was just like, you know what? Let me just take a break.”

Broner gave a solid rationale for his time away from boxing. There was no sensationalism in his response. He was candid and thoughtful, and down to earth. Broner also talked about his grueling training and how he did it for the love of boxing.

That’s a great response, but Broner is a complex individual. His responses to me were different than what he said to TMZ five days prior.

When asked by TMZ how he would respond to people who say he is finished as a boxer, Broner responded, “Eat a d**k, and put gravy on it.”

Adrien Broner returns to the ring against Jovanie Santiago, but is he in the right state of mind to resume his boxing career?

While Broner’s frustration with being doubted is understandable, his reply is crass and immature. No one is saying that he needs to be a role model, but it doesn’t show much growth as a person either. It shows that he’s not fully committed to taking his boxing career as seriously as he says.

If Broner were fully committed and completely focused, he wouldn’t have time to care if people question his resolve. He can only prove people wrong with his training and how he performs in the ring. Making crude statements makes him look like a child instead of a mature man.

Right after his reasonable and thoughtful response to me during the last press conference, Broner started to backslide into his former lewd demeanor.

When asked what he learned about himself overcoming obstacles, Broner flew off the rails from the serious to the ridiculous.

“I learned that I can stop having sex,” responded Broner. “That’s one of my biggest problems. I like to party. I like f**king. I had to cut it all out, though. The partying, the drinking, and just get serious with my career.”

Comments like that show a lack of sincerity. Quitting drinking and partying is great and necessary since he seemed to have a real problem in those areas, but he’s not approaching them like severe issues.

Broner’s mental health and mindset should be his biggest concern, but he didn’t really discuss those areas. He has implied having suicidal thoughts multiple times on social media in the past.

Broner’s mental health should be his biggest priority. His friends, family, and loved ones should be pushing him to seek help in dealing with his emotional problems. Maybe they are, and we just don’t see it, but Broner hasn’t discussed these issues in public, nor is he entitled to.

I hope Broner is putting his mental health first. He has significant problems that won’t go away until he’s healthy mentally and emotionally. I hope he sees a counselor, therapist, or other mental health professionals to seek relief from his problems. Broner has cried out for help before, but I’m not sure anyone has ever responded with the type of help he needs.

His latest comments show that something is missing and that not all of his health needs are being met, but I don’t know Broner personally. Maybe I’m wrong, but before he sets foot in the ring, I hope he has received help.

Watch Adrien Broner vs. Jovanie Santiago on Saturday, Feb. 20, on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET.