Adrien Broner vs. Jovanie Santiago - February 20, 2021

[Ruthless-RKO]

Adrien Broner To Face Undefeated Jovanie Santiago In Showtime Main Event February 20

Adrien Broner has finally settled on an opponent for his long-anticipated return.

The former four-division title-holder will oppose Puerto Rico’s Jovanie Santiago on February 20, multiple sources have informed BS.com. The bout – which will be contested at or near the junior welterweight limit of 140 pounds – will headline a “Showtime Championship Boxing” tripleheader from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The three-bout broadcast also will include Swedish heavyweight Otto Wallin (21-1, 14 KOs, 1 NC) and Dominic Breazeale (20-2, 18 KOs), of Eastvale, California, in the co-feature. Former IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr. (22-1-1, 14 KOs), of Toledo, Ohio, will meet Ryan Martin (24-1, 14 KOs), of Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Showtime’s opener.

The main event will mark the first fight in more than two years for Broner. Cincinnati’s Broner came up well short in his last fight, a 12-round, unanimous-decision defeat to Manny Pacquiao, the main event of a Showtime Pay-Per-View show at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Santiago (14-0-1, 10 KOs) will take a steep step up in class when he boxes Broner.

The 31-year-old Santiago scored a first-round knockout against previously unbeaten Peruvian southpaw Juan Zegarra (16-1, 10 KOs) in his most recent fight, December 20 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Santiago has fought four times in the Dominican Republic, but he’ll make his debut in the contiguous United States.

While this will be a quick turnaround, Santiago has generally been inactive through 14 years in the pro ranks, including a six-year gap early in his career. He is 12-0 since returning to the ring for good in 2014, though his most notable win to date came in April 2017, when he defeated former 140-pound titlist DeMarcus Corley by 10-round unanimous decision.

Still, he was deemed acceptable enough by all parties involved to land this high-profile assignment. Santiago replaced Mexico’s Pedro Campa (31-1-1, 21 KOs), who was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19.

The Dominican Republic’s Michel Rivera (19-0, 12 KOs) also was seriously considered. The teams couldn’t reach an agreement, however, due to a requested stipulation for penalties in the event either fighter missed weight.

Argentina’s Juan Jose Velasco (22-2, 14 KOs) was considered as Campa’s replacement as well. Sources have informed BS.com that Velasco has been secured as the standby opponent for the main event.

Broner has won titles at junior lightweight, lightweight, junior welterweight and welterweight, but he has failed to produce a victory of any kind since a debatable, 10-round, split-decision win against Adrian Granados in February 2017 in Cincinnati.

Between his victory over Granados (20-8-2, 14 KOs, 1 NC) and his loss to Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs), Broner lost a 12-round unanimous decision to four-division champ Mikey Garcia (40-1, 30 KOs) and settled for a 12-round draw with two-division champ Jessie Vargas (29-3-2, 11 KOs).

[Ruthless-RKO]

[KiwiRider]

"At or near 140"
The fix is in, Broner turns up at 145.

Breazeale/Wallin might be OK as far as levels go. Same with Easter/Martin, which seems quite watchable.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Adrien Broner: I'm Only 31; How Can I Be Past My Prime?

Adrien Broner believes he has a lot of championship-caliber boxing left in him.

The polarizing Broner has been a pro for nearly 13 years and has almost 40 fights on his record. The Cincinnati native is still just 31, however, and feels as though he remains in his physical prime.

Broner scoffed when asked during a recent episode of Brian Custer’s “The Last Stand Podcast” about skeptics considering him past his prime.

“I’m only 31,” an incredulous Broner told Showtime’s Custer. “I’m only 31. How can I be past my prime? It’s just I’ve done so much in the sport at a early age, that it may seem like I’ve been in the game forever. But I’m very young. I haven’t took much punishment. I got too much more fight in me.”

The four-division champion, who made his pro debut in May 2008, should be refreshed physically entering his upcoming bout because Broner hasn’t boxed in more than two years. His fight February 20 against Jovanie Santiago will be Broner’s first action since he lost a lopsided, 12-round unanimous decision to Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao in January 2019 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Broner (33-4-1, 24 KOs, 1 NC) is heavily favored to topple Puerto Rico’s Santiago, but the 31-year-old Santiago is undefeated (14-0-1, 10 KOs). As BS.com first reported, Santiago replaced Pedro Campa as Broner’s opponent because Mexico’s Campa (31-1-1, 21 KOs) tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after committing to box Broner.

When he squares off against Santiago, Broner will attempt to record his first convincing victory in the near five years that have passed since he stopped England’s Ashley Theophane in the ninth round of their April 2016 bout in Washington, D.C.

Broner is 1-2-1 in his past four fights. His lone win during that stretch was a debatable, 10-round, split-decision victory over Adrian Granados (20-8-2, 14 KOs, 1 NC) in February 2017 in Cincinnati.

The Broner-Santiago fight will headline a “Showtime Championship Boxing” tripleheader February 20 from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Heavyweights Otto Wallin (21-1, 14 KOs, 1 NC), of Sundsvall, Sweden, and Dominic Breazeale (20-2, 18 KOs), of Eastvale, California, are set to square off in the co-feature. In Showtime’s opening bout that night, former IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr. (22-1-1, 14 KOs), of Toledo, Ohio, is set to encounter Ryan Martin (24-1, 14 KOs), of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

[Onetimeonly]

I agree he's not past his prime, his prime is gatekeeper.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Former four-division world champion and must-see attraction Adrien "The Problem" Broner will end his two-year hiatus from boxing when he faces Jovanie Santiago in a 12-round super lightweight bout Saturday, February 20 live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast also pits former heavyweight world title challenger Dominic Breazeale against highly touted contender Otto Wallin in the 12-round co-feature. The telecast opener features former world champion Robert Easter Jr. facing off against contender Ryan Martin in a 12-round super lightweight bout. The event is promoted by TGB Promotions. Breazeale vs. Wallin is promoted in association with Salita Promotions.

“February 20 is going to be an exciting night with the return of Adrien Broner, one of boxing’s ‘must see’ attractions,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “A former world champion in four weight classes, Adrien remains one of the sport’s most popular and well-known athletes. In the co-main event, we are guaranteed action as former heavyweight title challengers Dominic Breazeale and Otto Wallin seek another chance to compete for a world championship. Plus Robert Easter continues his campaign at super lightweight as he takes on Ryan Martin, a true 140-pounder with a score to settle from the amateurs. This event is full of intrigue from top to bottom and we can’t wait to see how it will unfold.”

“There is no question that Adrien Broner is a bona fide boxing attraction and he’s never in a boring fight. His credentials as a four-division world champion are unquestioned. It’s good to see him back and ready to go,’’ said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Dominic Breazeale and Otto Wallin promises to be a heavyweight firefight and Robert Easter Jr. and Ryan Martin are both looking to establish themselves as formidable championship contenders in the super lightweight division. This is a strong PBC card from top to bottom for the fans who tune-in to SHOWTIME on February 20.’’

Cincinnati’s Broner (33-4-1, 24 KOs), is one of the most popular and colorful personalities in the sport. He quickly rose to prominence by combining supreme boxing with a brash outspoken personality. By the age of 26, he had captured world titles at 130, 135, 140 and 147 pounds, becoming one of only eight active fighters to win a world championship in four divisions. Broner has faced several multi-division world champions such as Paulie Malignaggi, Marcos Maidana, Mikey Garcia, Jessie Vargas and Manny Pacquiao. Broner returns to the super lightweight division where he dominated Khabib Allakhverdiev to win a 140-pound title in 2015.

“I can’t wait to get back into the ring. It’s been a while. This will give me a chance to display my talents and show everybody what they’ve been missing,’’ Broner said. “I’ve been training and working very hard and everybody will see all of that hard work come together on February 20 on SHOWTIME.’’

Hailing from Dorado, Puerto Rico, the undefeated Santiago (14-0-1, 10 KOs) will make his stateside debut against Broner just two months removed from a dominating first-round knockout victory over then-unbeaten Juan Zegarra in the Dominican Republic. In 2017, Santiago defeated former super lightweight world champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley via unanimous decision, marking the only time he has allowed his opponent to go the distance since 2015. Known for his come-forward style, Santiago has campaigned at 140 pounds for the majority of his career and ascended to 14th in the WBA’s super lightweight rankings.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to step into the ring against Adrien Broner. I believe our styles are perfect for each other. But I feel like I have the skills that are necessary to beat him. I just fought a couple months ago so I feel good with the way my training has gone. I’m going to shock everyone on February 20.”

Breazeale (20-2, 18 KOs) has an impressive knockout ratio and numerous memorable knockout victories, including stoppages of Amir Mansour, Carlos Negron, and then-unbeaten Izuagbe Ugonoh. The 35-year-old has come up short in two heavyweight title opportunities against Deontay Wilder and current unified world champion Anthony Joshua. Born in Glendale, Calif., and now living in Eastvale, Calif., Breazeale was an outstanding high school football player who played quarterback at Northern Colorado University before taking up boxing. The 6-foot-7 heavyweight was also a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic® boxing team.

“Camp has been great. I’m working with my new trainer, Abel Sanchez, up in Big Bear,” Breazeale said. “Otto Wallin is going against a big guy who can punch and throws punches in bunches, so he’s going to be in trouble. I’m going to bring the pressure from the opening bell until the moment he hits the canvas.”

Wallin (21-1, 14 KOs) makes his second appearance on SHOWTIME within the Mohegan Sun “Fight Sphere” after defeating Travis Kauffman via fifth-round TKO in August. Before that, he nearly upset Tyson Fury in September 2019, when he opened up a gruesome cut over Fury’s right eye with a legal punch that almost halted the fight. While the 30-year-old lost to the lineal heavyweight world champion via unanimous decision, he proved his mettle as a potential heavyweight champion. Representing his native Sundsvall, Sweden, Wallin trains in New York with former champion Joey Gamache.

“Training has been going very well. I’m in a good place,” said Wallin. "Breazeale is a tough customer that’s always in firefights and is entertaining to watch. I believe it’s going to be a good fight. I’m pretty sure that he’s going to try and come out and go after me, so I don’t think I’ll have to look for him. I’m in great shape. I believe I’ll be able to break him down and take him out.”

A former IBF lightweight world champion, Easter (22-1-1, 14 KOs) won the vacant belt with a split decision victory over future world champion Richard Commey in 2016. The 30-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, successfully defended the title three times before losing it to four-division world champion Mikey Garcia in a 2018 unification clash on SHOWTIME. Following a split-draw against Rances Barthelemy in April 2019, Easter made his super lightweight debut on SHOWTIME in October 2019 with a unanimous decision victory over Adrian Granados.

“My last fight against Adrian Granados helped me get used to fighting at 140 pounds. The time away from the ring has helped me to get comfortable at the weight,’’ Easter said. “Martin has been active and he’s fought some good competition at 140 pounds, and I expect he’ll be at his best when we fight. But I’m going to be ready for anything that he brings to the ring on February 20.”

Martin (24-1, 14 KOs), who hails from Chattanooga, Tenn., has remained active during the COVID-19 pandemic with two stoppage victories since June 2020 including a first-round knockout over Hevinson Herrera in October. Similar to Easter, the 27-year-old has moved to the super lightweight division after many years at 135 pounds. Martin was handed the only loss of his career in 2018 to now-unified 140-pound world champion Josh Taylor. As an amateur, he lost a decision to Easter in the 2012 Olympic qualifiers and was denied an opportunity to represent the United States at the Summer Games in London as an alternate.

“I’m excited to be fighting on PBC on SHOWTIME,” said Martin. “It’s a great opportunity for me to redeem myself for a bad performance overseas against [Josh] Taylor. That experience is going to help. I’m coming to fight and to win.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week

[Ruthless-RKO]

Adrien Broner Insists He Beat Manny Pacquiao, Urges Fans To Go Back And Watch The Tape With No Sound

Adrien Broner is not done yet. “The Problem” returns to action on Saturday night, against the unbeaten little-known Jovanie Santiago, and he is talking plenty. Broner, though, is not talking so much about his upcoming fight – although he does say the Santiago fight is his “biggest worry right now.” No, 31-year-old Broner is more interested in talking about his January 2019 fight with Manny Pacquiao. You know, the fight that Broner lost via wide and comprehensive unanimous decision. Broner was out-punched and outworked over the course of the 12 rounds, right? Broner says no.

When speaking with boxing writer Mike Coppinger, Broner claimed Pacquiao’s punches were in fact missing him, or a good deal of them were missing the target. “Shit, I was serious [when I said I felt I won the fight]. I didn’t give a f***. I really felt like he wasn’t hitting me,” Broner said.

If you recall, Pac-Man won by commanding scores of 117-111, 116-112, 116-112, and there really was zero debate or controversy attached to the fight or its scoring. This was no robberly, far from it. This was not even a close fight. But Broner disagrees and he urges fight fans to hear him out, sort of. In fact, Broner wants fans to go back and watch the tape of the fight but without the sound on. Mute the fight, Broner says, and you will see a totally different fight.

“He wasn’t hitting me, but when I go back and watch the fight I’m like, alright, he threw more,” Broner, 33-4-1(24) told Coppinger. “He was just busier. But he wasn’t touching me with any of that stuff at all. If you go back and watch the fight with no sound, you’ll be like, ‘Wow, he really wasn’t landing.’ The crowd was just yelling but if you go back and watch the fight with no sound, you’ll see that he wasn’t [landing].”

If you recall, a similar suggestion to Broner’s was made about that hugely controversial 12 round split decision win Tim Bradley scored over Pacquiao way back in June of 2012. The decision was almost universally condemned, with almost everyone saying Pac-Man out-landed Bradley by a massive margin and fully deserved the decision. But according to a video that was uploaded on YouTube, if you watched the fight without the sound on, and without listening to the “biased” commentary provided by HBO (most notably by Jim Lampley), the fight appears far closer than on initial viewing. Some fans agreed with the video and its arguments (and still do), some did not (and still do not).

Maybe we should take the time to take another look at Pac-Man’s win over Broner, just out of curiosity. Or maybe you, like myself, have already done so. It’s a definite win for Manny, sound or no sound. But Broner wasn’t hit with quite as many clean punches as it might have appeared on the night. But facts are facts, and Broner, as he said himself, was outworked by the busier fighter. Ain’t nobody calling for a Pacquiao-Broner II.

Broner, his career on the line, had better be fully focused on Puerto Rico’s Santiago, 14-0-1(10). Lose on Saturday and Broner will not be able to talk about much of anything any longer.

[Enlightened-One]

Adrien Broner’s only loss at 140lbs or below came against Mikey Garcia. The American is clearly a better fighter competing below welterweight. And he’s only 31 years of age.

However, ‘The Problem’ isn’t a big puncher, because it’s been nine years since he last scored a legitimate KO where his opponent failed to rise from the canvas. Broner’s opponents are usually stopped on their feet.

I don’t know anything about Jovanie Santiago, but his resume suggests he’s simply a domestic level Puerto Rican fighter.

However, what concerns me is that despite Santiago’s unbeaten 15-bout record, he’s 31 years of age and apparently made his pro debut 13½ years ago. This will only be his seventh outing within the last 5½ years.

He could be the 140lbs equivalent of Christopher Lovejoy, Marc De Mori or Arnold Gjergjaj (i.e. the owner of a superficially-impressive resume lacking any substance).

Therefore, even though Adrien hasn’t won a bout within the last four years, coupled with being inactive for more than two years, I still think he’s good enough to beat Santiago by decision.

I don’t expect Broner to score the knockout though, but if the fight is ended prematurely, the ref will either wave the contest off, or Santiago’s corner will throw the towel in, during the later rounds.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Contractual weigh changed to 147 instead of 140..

Broner was saying how he had to lose around 35 pounds..

He’s talking about 135 and he can’t even make 140..

[bobcatbox]

You know what I’m gonna go out on a limb and not only pick broner to lose but lose by T/KO. The weight change tells me he’s coming in out of shape, and if Santiago is motivated enough to do anything to prepare I think he knocks him out about seventh or eighth round.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[maverick23]

Any U.K. tv for this?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Any U.K. tv for this?

I think FITE tv.

Shame.. Wallin-Breazeale could be decent,.

[maverick23]

Any U.K. tv for this?

I think FITE tv.

Shame.. Wallin-Breazeale could be decent,.

Agreed - that was the only fight I wanted to watch.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Broner stepped on the scale at 146 pounds. Santiago officially weighed 145.2 pounds.

[KiwiRider]

Any U.K. tv for this?

I think FITE tv.

Shame.. Wallin-Breazeale could be decent,.

Agreed - that was the only fight I wanted to watch.

Martin/Easter might be alright

[Ruthless-RKO]

I think FITE tv.

Shame.. Wallin-Breazeale could be decent,.

Agreed - that was the only fight I wanted to watch.

Martin/Easter might be alright

Yes

[bobcatbox]

Broner stepped on the scale at 146 pounds. Santiago officially weighed 145.2 pounds.

Broner going down like a sweet muffin.

[emallini]

The Can Man is back.

[bobcatbox]

My favorite thing on Santiago's boxrec - he is one of fourteen men to face and defeat Roman Matias Perez, a now-retired fighter. Perez finished his career with a stunning record of 0-14, losing every bout by knockout. His resume is quite proficient for his pitiful record. He faced almost exclusively undefeated or one-to-two loss competition, including Santiago. He never fought outside the Dominican Republic. I've heard of guys going to foreign nations and paying a guy to fight them. Is this one of those circumstances? Santiago had not fought in seven months prior to blasting out Perez. Maybe he was having a hard time finding a fight, or maybe he just wanted to join the enviable ranks of those mid-tier guys in the Ramon Perez beatdown club.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Date: Saturday, February 20, 2021
Start Time: 9pm ET
Location: Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, CT
TV & Streaming: Showtime

Full Card (SHOWTIME, 9pm ET)

12 Round Welterweight Bout
Adrien Broner (33-4-1, 24 KOs) vs. Jovanie Santiago (14-0-1, 10 KOs)

12 Round Heavyweight Bout
Otto Wallin (21-1, 14 KOs) vs. Dominic Breazeale (20-2, 18 KOs)

12 Round Junior Welterweight Bout
Robert Easter Jr (22-1-1, 14 KOs) vs. Ryan Martin (24-1, 14 KOs)

Preliminary Card

Juan Jose Velasco vs. Zachary Ochoa | Junior Welterweight

Rau’shee Warren vs. Sharone Carter | Bantamweight

Romuel Cruz vs. TBA | Junior Featherweight

[ldlamb]

Broner is just not good anymore...what a waste....he’ll regret it someday.

[gilgamesh]

Broner's losing this fight pretty clear. You maybe could've given him 3 rounds so far in this fight, and that's it. He's on his way to losing unless he can score a miracle KO somehow.

[Onetimeonly]

Broner is just not good anymore...what a waste....he’ll regret it someday.

Drop the anymore, he got as far as he could.