Adrien Broners biography, net worth, fact, career, awards and life story

May 2024 · 15 minute read
IntroAmerican boxer
IsAthlete 
Rapper 
Boxer 
FromUnited States of America 
TypeMusic 
Sports 
Gendermale
Birth28 July 1989, Cincinnati
Age:31 years

Adrien Jerome Broner (born July 28, 1989) is an American professional boxer. He is a former four-weight world champion, having held the WBO junior lightweight title from 2011 to 2012; the WBC lightweight title from 2012 to 2013; the WBA welterweight title in 2014; and the WBA super lightweight title from 2015 to 2016. The Ring magazine previously ranked Broner as the fifth best boxer in the world, pound for pound, in December 2012.

Early life

Broner grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and started boxing at the age of six. He has said that the sport saved him from a life on the streets.

Professional career

Super featherweight

Early career

Broner turned professional on May 31, 2008 and scored three consecutive first round knockouts against Allante Davis, David Warren Huffman and Ramon Flores. In Broner’s fourth fight he faced Terrance Jett at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on the undercard of the Ricky Hatton vs Paulie Malignaggi fight. Broner defeated Jett with a stoppage in the sixth round. In Broner’s fifth professional fight and final of 2008, he faced Scott Furney on the undercard of Oscar De La Hoya vs Manny Pacquiao fight. Broner stopped Furney in the first round bringing his record to 5(5)-0-0.

In January 2009 he was forced to go the distance with Jose Alfredo Lugo, at the Staples Center on the undercard of Shane Mosley vs Antonio Margarito. Broner returned to the ring in March scoring a unanimous decision over Eric Ricker. Three weeks later Broner stopped Angel Rodriguez in the fourth round. In his eighth fight Broner stepped up to eight rounds in a hard fought fight with Fernando Quintero, pulling out a controversial majority decision victory in a fight that Quintero took on 4 days’ notice. In June at the Staples Center Broner met Australian William Kickett, scoring a sixth round knockout. On the Juan Díaz vs Paul Malignaggi undercard in Houston Broner make short work of Edgar Portillo, victory coming via stoppage in the first round. Broner defeated Henry White Jr via KO in September and finished his busy year against Tommy Atencio. Broner stopped Atencio in the first round, for the sixth time in thirteen fights. Broner then had a fourth round stoppage victory over Roberto Acevedo. Broner fought 4 more times in 2010 against Rafael Lora, Carlos Claudio, Guillermo Sanchez, and Ilido Julio, stopping all of them.

Broner vs. Ponce De Leon

Broner took his first major step up in weight when he competed against former Super Bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de León on March 5, 2011. In what was truly a very closely contested fight, Broner came away with a controversial unanimous decision victory. Broner got off to a slow start, having trouble penetrating De Leon’s high guard. Broner came on strong in the fourth, hurting De Leon with a body shot. Broner slowed down in the middle and later rounds, though landed the cleaner shots, while De Leon proved to be the busier fighter. CompuBox had Broner landing 126 of his 351 (36%) of his total punches, while De Leon landed 127 of his 592 (21%) punches. Harold Lederman scored the fight: 96-94, in Ponce De Leon’s favour.

Broner’s next fight was on HBO’s Boxing After Dark show from Guadalajara, Mexico, Broner took on Top 10 Super Featherweight contender Jason Litzau in a fight scheduled for ten rounds. Broner landed combos on the ropes late in the first, with a straight right, left hook and then a right uppercut hurting the Minnesotan badly. He crumpled, and the ref leaped in, seeing he was out. The official end came at 2:58 of the first round.

WBO super featherweight champion

After having no luck in securing a fight with Ricky Burns, the former WBO super featherweight champion, to fight him on November 26, 2011, Broner fought contender Vicente Martin Rodriguez on the undercard of the Saul Alvarez vs. Kermit Cintron fight card on HBO as part of a double header. He defeated Rodriguez by knockout in the third round, to win the vacant WBO Super Featherweight World title.

Broner made a successful first defense of his WBO belt against Top 10 Super Featherweight contender and mandatory challenger Eloy Perez on a Feb. 25, 2012 HBO-televised card. With a knockout victory. Broner controlled the pace and action from start to finish, beating Perez to the punch and walking him down with ease. The fight ended when Broner landed a straight hand on Perez, followed by another right hand as Perez was going down.

Broner’s next scheduled fight was to be on July 21, 2012, at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, against Super Featherweight contender Vicente Escobedo. However, at weigh-in for the fight on July 20, Broner was 133 1/2 pounds, well over the 130-pound limit for the Super Featherweight class, and was automatically stripped of his title. The fight went on as scheduled and Broner won by 5th round TKO when Escobedo’s corner threw in the towel.

Lightweight

Broner vs. DeMarco

Broners next fight was scheduled for November 17, 2012, in Atlantic City at Boardwalk Hall, and was aired on HBO. The fight marked Broner’s debut in the Lightweight division. The opponent was the WBC Lightweight champion and Ring No. 1-ranked Lightweight, Antonio DeMarco. Broner started the fight off boxing DeMarco, working behind his jab and using his shoulder roll defense to frustrate DeMarco. In the early rounds, Broner was able to hit DeMarco with his quick counter left hook several times. By the 4th round, Broner and DeMarco decided to stand toe-to-toe in the center of the ring and trade punches. It was Broner who got the better of the inside fight though, with his speed and quick combination punching taking its toll on DeMarco. By the 6th round, DeMarco was cut and his face was swollen in several places while still standing toe-to-toe with Broner, with Broner barely missing his right uppercuts and working the body of DeMarco as well. Then, in the 8th round, Broner opened up another fast combination which hurt DeMarco and then a swinging left uppercut sent DeMarco to the canvas for the first time in his professional career. DeMarco’s corner stopped the fight right after the knockdown, giving Broner his second world title in as many weight classes.

Broner vs. Gavin Rees

CompuBox had Broner landing 241 of his 451 total punches. After the fight, Broner said he’d be interested in fighting Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Márquez and current WBO Lightweight champion Ricky Burns. Broner was set to make his first title defense on February 16, 2013, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Having no luck at getting fellow Lightweight champion Ricky Burns to fight him in February, Broner fought Ring No. 6-ranked Lightweight Gavin Rees instead.

Broner stopped Rees in five rounds, after Rees’ corner threw in the towel at the end of the round. Rees had some success early, when Broner was clowning and showboating, landing jabs and body shots. By round 3, Broner was in complete control, hitting Rees with his counter left hook at will, as well as hitting Rees at will on the inside. In the 4th round, Broner sent Rees to the canvas with a quick right uppercut, and landed more combinations as the round ended. In the 5th, after a brief clinch between the two, they separated and Broner landed a hard left body shot on Rees, dropping Rees to a knee. Broner ended the round teeing off on Rees, with Rees’ trainer throwing in the towel from the corner. CompuBox had Broner landing 48% of his punches in the fight, as well as ending the fight landing 40 of 57 in the final round.

Welterweight

Broner vs. Malignaggi

After failing to secure a fight with fellow Lightweight champion Ricky Burns, Broner decided to move up two weight classes to Welterweight in order to fight two division champion Paulie Malignaggi. Malignaggi was the WBA Welterweight Champion and ”Ring” No. 6 ranked Welterweight. Broner defeated Malignaggi in a split decision, with one judge scoring the fight 115-113 for Malignaggi, and the other two scoring 117-111 and 115-113 for Broner, making him a 3 weight world champion at just 23 years of age. Malignaggi started the fight fast and aggressive, throwing many punches and applying his jab often. Broner found his timing by the middle of the fight, effectively timing Malignaggi with lead right hands and counter left hooks. CompuBox had Broner landing 246 (47%) of his total punches, and 214 (51%) of his power punches. Malignaggi landed 120 jabs throughout the fight, but only 94 (25%) power punches. Though there was some contention at ringside after the fight as to who deserved the split decision, The Associated Press agreed with the two judges who scored the fight for Broner, mirroring the score of 117-111 by one judge.

Broner vs. Maidana

Broner made his first defense at Welterweight against former Light Welterweight champion Marcos Maidana. Broner had stated before the fight that he did not take training camp seriously for the Malignaggi fight, and that he was going to make a statement in his first defense. From the opening bell, Maidana swarmed Broner, punishing him to the body and the head. In the second round, a left hook sent Broner down for the first time in his career. Broner recovered and seemed to be on the verge of taking control over a tiring Maidana, but a Maidana right to the body followed by a left hook to the head once again put Broner down in round 8. Maidana punished a humbled Broner for the remainder of the fight, winning the fight via unanimous decision and giving Broner his first loss as a pro.

Light welterweight

Broner vs. Taylor

Following a unanimous decision victory against Carlos Molina, Broner remained at junior welterweight to fight Emmanuel Taylor. Taylor won his last fight by way of unanimous decision against Karim Mayfield. Emmanuel Taylor started the fight charging Broner. Broner spent a large portion of the early rounds on the ropes, appearing to be unaffected by Taylor’s punches. In the middle rounds, Broner increased his punch activity, making for back and forth action. By round 8, Taylor’s activity reduced dramatically, allowing Broner to secure the last four rounds. Broner sealed the decision in his favor with a left hook to the jaw of Taylor which sent Taylor to the canvas in round 12. Broner won the fight via unanimous decision with the judges scorecards as 116-111, 116-111, 115-112. Broner landed 201 of 524 punches thrown (38%) while Taylor landed 181 of 655 punches thrown (28%).

Welterweight

Broner vs. Porter

On June 20, 2015 Adrian Broner lost a unanimous decision to the former IBF Welterweight champion Shawn Porter 118-108, 115-111 and 114-112 at a 144 lbs. catchweight fight. In the 11th round Broner was deducted a point for excessive holding. Porter who dominated the majority of the fight, was sent to the canvas by Broner in the 12th round. The knockdown was not enough to secure Broner the win, as the fight was one-sided for the majority of the rounds. Leading up the fight the Welterweight champ Porter also criticized, that Broner had a 157 lbs. limit clause in the contract, which stopped Porter from rehydrating to his normal weight on fight day. Porter was quoted as saying,“You want to move up into my weight, then move up! Don’t be scared. Don’t be worried. Don’t be afraid. Put your skill on the line along with your record. Put it all on the line at 147. Don’t put it at 144, then not want to talk about it.” The remarks came as Broner had repeatedly refused to comment on the catchweight situation, which many believed would put Broner in a negative light.

Return to light welterweight

Broner vs. Allakhverdiev

On October 3, 2015 Broner won the WBA Light Welterweight title from Khabib Allakhverdiev by TKO in the 12th round. Broner’s win was not a surprise by boxing afficianados, as Allahkverdiev is known to be a slow, soft-punching opponent.

Broner vs. Theophane

On April 1, 2016 Adrien Broner defeated Ashley Theophane by TKO in the 9th round. Before the stoppage by referee Luis Pabon, Broner was leading on the scorecards 78-74, 78-74 and 77-75. Theophane was rocked several times during the fight, almost leading to a knockdown in the 4th round. The fight was scheduled to be for the WBA Light Welterweight title, but Broner was stripped ahead of the fight, for missing the 140 lbs. limit. After the fight, Broner called out Floyd Mayweather Jr., as tensions between the former friends had increased in the past months, due to comments about TMT (The Money Team) by Broner.

Broner vs. Granados

Prior to Ricky Burns retaining his world title against Kiryl Relikh, talks emerged about putting Burns and Broner in a fight for December 2016. Broner announced he would next fight Adrian Granados on February 11, 2017 on Showtime Championship Boxing. Ongoing talks continued for a potential Broner vs. Burns fight to take place sometime in 2017. The fight card was pushed back a week to February 18.

Outside Boxing

In October 2016, he posted alarming images and captions on his instagram page hinting suicide and on October 17, 2016, he was charged with a misdemeanor battery for allegedly choking out a waitress at Drai’s, a nightclub.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
35 fights32 wins2 losses
By knockout240
By decision82
No contests1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
36N/AN/A Adrían GranadosN/AN/AFeb 18, 2017 Cintas Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
35Win32–2 (1) Ashley TheophaneTKO9 (12), 1:10Apr 1, 2016 D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., U.S.
34Win31–2 (1) Khabib AllakhverdievTKO12 (12), 2:23Oct 3, 2015 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.Won vacant WBA (Super) super lightweight title
33Loss30–2 (1) Shawn PorterUD12Jun 20, 2015 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
32Win30–1 (1) John Molina Jr.UD12Mar 7, 2015 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
31Win29–1 (1) Emmanuel TaylorUD12Sep 6, 2014 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.Retained WBA International super lightweight title
30Win28–1 (1) Carlos MolinaUD10May 3, 2014 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBA International super lightweight title
29Loss27–1 (1) Marcos MaidanaUD12Dec 14, 2013 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.Lost WBA welterweight title
28Win27–0 (1) Paulie MalignaggiSD12Jun 22, 2013 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.Won WBA welterweight title
27Win26–0 (1) Gavin ReesTKO5 (12), 2:59Feb 16, 2013 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBC lightweight title
26Win25–0 (1) Antonio DeMarcoTKO8 (12), 1:49Nov 17, 2012 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won WBC lightweight title
25Win24–0 (1) Vicente EscobedoTKO5 (12), 2:42Jul 21, 2012 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
24Win23–0 (1) Eloy PérezKO4 (12), 2:44Feb 25, 2012 Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.Retained WBO super featherweight title
23Win22–0 (1) Vicente Martín RodríguezKO3 (12), 1:43Nov 26, 2011 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.Won vacant WBO super featherweight title
22Win21–0 (1) Jason LitzauTKO1 (10), 2:58Jun 18, 2011 Arena VFG, Guadalajara, MexicoWon vacant WBC USNBC super featherweight title
21Win20–0 (1) Daniel Ponce de LeónUD10Mar 5, 2011 Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title
20Win19–0 (1) John RevishRTD1 (8), 3:00Jan 15, 2011 Taft Theatre, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.Won vacant WBC USNBC lightweight title
19Win18–0 (1) Ilido JulioTKO1 (8), 1:34Nov 6, 2010 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
18Win17–0 (1) Guillermo SanchezTKO2 (10), 1:48Sep 4, 2010 Hamilton County Fair, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
17Win16–0 (1) Carlos ClaudioRTD6 (10), 3:00Jun 19, 2010 Taft Theatre, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.Won vacant WBC Youth Intercontinental super featherweight title
16Win15–0 (1) Rafael LoraTKO1 (10), 3:00May 14, 2010 Paradise Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.
15Win14–0 (1) Roberto AcevedoTKO4 (6), 0:14Jan 23, 2010 Hyatt Regency, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
14Win13–0 (1) Tommy AtencioTKO1 (6), 2:58Nov 28, 2009 Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
13Win12–0 (1) Henry White, Jr.KO3 (6), 3:00Sep 5, 2009 Hamilton County Fair, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
12Win11–0 (1) Edgar PortilloTKO1 (10), 1:37Aug 22, 2009 Toyota Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.
11Win10–0 (1) William KickettKO6 (8), 2:58Jun 27, 2009 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
10Win9–0 (1) Fernando QuinteroMD8May 8, 2009 Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
9Win8–0 (1) Angel RodriguezTKO4 (6), 0:23Apr 4, 2009 Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.
8Win7–0 (1) Eric RickerUD6Mar 14, 2009 Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
7Win6–0 (1) Jose Alfredo LugoUD2 (4)Jan 24, 2009 Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
6NC5–0 (1) Eric RickerDQ2 (4)Dec 27, 2008 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Originally a DQ win for Ricker after Broner pushed him out of the ring, later ruled an NC
5Win5–0 Scott FurneyTKO1 (6), 1:14Dec 6, 2008 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
4Win4–0 Terrance JettTKO6 (6), 0:33Nov 22, 2008 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
3Win3–0 Ramon FloresTKO1 (4), 2:11Sep 27, 2008 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S.
2Win2–0 David Warren HuffmanTKO1 (4), 1:20Aug 30, 2008 Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
1Win1–0 Allante DavisKO1 (4), 0:32May 31, 2008 Hyatt Regency, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.Professional debut

Filmography

Television Series
YearSeriesRoleNotes
20122 Days: Adrien BronerHimselfDocumentary
2 Days: Adrien Broner Part II
2013A Day in the Life

Entrance themes

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