Adrien Broner: 'I'm going to torture' Ashley Theophane in April Fools battle in D.C.
WASHINGTON D.C. - "The Problem" lived up to his nickname Monday.
Adrien Broner, the WBA super lightweight titlist, showed up an hour late for his news conference at the W Hotel in the Nation's Capital, the city where the 26-year-old, four-division champion trains.
The presser, in the Altitude Room atop the old hotel a block away from the White House, was held to officially announce Broner's April 1 title fight at the D.C. Armory against Ashley Theophane, the Englishman who fights under the Mayweather Promotions banner. The fight, a Premier Boxing Champions production, will be broadcast on Spike TV that Friday night.
The fight card is co-promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Broner's AB (About Billions) Promotion.
Floyd Mayweather Jr., the retired undefeated champion and future Hall of Famer, was in the house, uncharacteristically early, to offer support for his fighters on the card, Theophane and 21-year-old super featherweight prospect Gervonta "Tank" Davis (14-0, 13 KOs), who grew up in Baltimore but has relocated to Las Vegas to train with Mayweather's fighters.
Maybe the air was a bit too thin at Altitude for Broner, who knows? But the fighter, flashing a neck full of expensive-looking gold chains, wearing sunglasses and sporting a full beard, stuck around long enough to be introduced, spoke for about five minutes, then bolted the scene, telling jilted reporters, "if you want to talk to me, come out to the Headbangers Gym."
In his five minutes, however, Broner (31-2, 23 KOs) had plenty to say, starting out reserved and humble, but turning on his alter ego and finishing in typical Broner fashion, bold and brash, cocky and crude.
"A lot of people told me I wouldn't be here. I come from nothing," humble Broner said. "Like cereal and water nothing. I'm very fortunate to have someone like Floyd to look up to. I don't want to be like Floyd though, I don't want to be like any man. I admire him and respect him, but I'm creating my own legacy."
A little bolder Broner said, "At the end of the day, Floyd and Ashley aren't on my side. I'm against them. They're coming to dethrone me. They're my enemy right now and I'm going to beat Ashley down."
Brash Broner said, "I ain't coming to just get a win. this fight ain't going four rounds. Nine minutes is too much."
Finally, "I'm going to torture this guy," cocky Broner said. And the crude version? Well, let's just say he worked a virgin into his description of how quickly he's going to take care of Theophane.
Mayweather, who has had some harsh words for Broner the last few months, called the Cincinnati native a young and explosive fighter. "He's a force in boxing right now," he said. "Ashley Theophane came from the UK with a dream. His dream was to be world champion one day. Same dream I had. He's a very humble, hungry and dedicated fighter."
Theophane (39-6-1, 11 KOs), does not have big power, as his knockout percentage indicates, but has won his last six bouts. His best fight might have come in a loss. He nearly upset Danny Garcia, losing a close split decision in 2010. Theophane is 35 years old, but believes his experience will help him.
"He likes to call me 'easy money,' " Theophane said, turning to Broner, "but I can tell you it's going to be hard money, boy."
(Photo of Broner, left, Mayweather, middle and Theophane, by Stephanie Trapp, Premier Boxing Champions)