Adrien Broner on mental health, not listening to the haters

Adrien Broner on mental health, not listening to the haters. 

Former four-division champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs) has been of boxing’s biggest enigmas over the past decade. He is one of just 24 fighters to win titles in four weight classes in boxing history, yet his career feels like so much was left on the table.

Broner hasn’t fought since February 2021, when he won a somewhat disputed decision over Jovanie Santiago. Before facing Santiago, his previous bout was against the legendary Manny Pacquiao, where he lost via unanimous decision. Over his last five fights, Broner is 2-2-1.

There are losses in Broner’s career where the fighter in the ring with him was genuinely the better man that night, but there are also those where it seems he beat himself more than his opponent. Looking back 10 years ago, before his first loss at the hands of Marcos Maidana, Broner was thought of as the heir apparent to Floyd Mayweather. Due to Broner’s, at times, overly obnoxious and loquacious personality, everyone who steps in the ring with him tends to have some extra motivation.

“It’s just like everybody who fights Adrien Broner, they’re training for the biggest fight of their life and they’re coming to win,” Broner said in an interview with FanSided’s Amy Kaplan. “So I just got to stay. I just got to be on my shit, honestly. Even in my losses, it wasn’t about what the opponent did, it was more so about what I didn’t do or what I didn’t do enough.”

Last August, Broner was set to take on former WBC lightweight champion Omar Figueroa in what would have been a crossroads match between two-supposedly fading stars. Broner ended up pulling out of the fight, citing a need to take a break due to his mental health. The decision to exit the match with Figueroa essentially ended Broner’s working relationship with former promoter Premier Boxing Champions leaving many to believe that this was the end of the 33-year olds career.

Broner, however, to the surprise of many, last October announced a partnership with the relatively new streaming platform BLK Prime. This signified the start of a three-fight deal that would begin a new stage for the former world champion.

Unfortunately, Broner’s first fight within the deal has been snake bitten. Over the span of 30 days, Broner has seen three different opponents fall by the wayside. His initial opponent, Ivan Redkach, pulled out due to a dispute with his promoter Joe DeGuardia. Former title challenger Hank Lundy stepped in but was removed due to a suspension from the California state athletic commission for pulling out of a bout due to a cut during sparring. Most recently, heavy underdog Michael Williams Jr. was forced to withdraw from the bout with Broner after fracturing his jaw in training camp.

However, for the still-young former champion, any tribulations that have occurred are just part of the process of being a professional. Making sure he stays focused on what he can control is what is most vital to Broner.

“For me, it was just staying focused,” Broner told FanSided. “I’ve been training for quite some time now, so it really don’t matter who’s on the other side of the ring. I’m in the shape to do what I got to do to get the victory, it don’t really matter.”

Adrien Broner doesn’t let negativity from fans or critics bother him

Due to the criticism coming from both fans and critics alike toward Broner, there is a mental toll extracted from fighters in today’s world. Since turning professional in 2008, Broner has had just as many supporters as detractors.

Almost 10 years ago, his first loss at the hands of Marcos Maidana was treated as a celebration by boxing fans as a victory for the sport itself. The level of scrutiny and, at times, celebrating his failures would be difficult for any athlete to deal with; however, as he has shown numerous times in the ring, Broner isn’t someone that is easily broken.

“In boxing, a lot of people don’t know this, outside looking in, but boxing is honestly, I say 10 percent physical and 90 percent mental,” Broner said to FanSided. “So that’s why sometimes you can go in the ring and you can be 100 percent better than a guy, but if you’re not mentally sound or mentally focused, you can lose to a guy that’s not even on your level. So, mentally you just got to be strong.”

As a professional for close to 15 years, Broner has been through almost everything in the sport. Now, in another rebuilding phase of his career, the four-division champion has enough experience and mental fortitude to advise other fighters in similar situations.

“Its kind of crazy you even brought it up,” Broner expressed to FanSided. “I actually just had a long talk with Rolly [Rolly Romero] and he called me, and right now he’s actually going through a lot of stuff mentally when it comes to boxing. And just like I told him and you know, you can’t let that phase you. In boxing, you going to have good days, you going to have bad days, and got to keep rolling, you got to keep working. Like, I told him, go in the gym with the same confidence and don’t let that shit move you, man. Just keep working.”

Now more than ever, boxing needs fighters like Broner. Like many before him, he may not be for everyone, but his story is essential in keeping the sport relatable. His story is that of the everyday man. A person who has all the talent but they keep standing in their own way. Regardless of when he ends up stepping back into the ring, the boxing world will be watching to see the next chapter of the Adrien Broner story.

After numerous changes in opponents, Broner is set to step back in the ring under the BLK Prime banner this upcoming April. An opponent, as of now, has yet to be determined.