We’ve known it for awhile, but now it’s official. Former four-division world champion 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 on SHOWTIME from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
The 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.
“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.”
The event is promoted by TGB Promotions. Breazeale vs. Wallin is promoted in association with Salita Promotions.
Say what you want about Adrien Broner and his immature antics, but when he was at 130 and 135, he was a “Problem.”
True, but that was “then” and this is “now”. The Broner era of boxing is pretty much over in my opinion unless Broner can stay on the straight path, stay out of trouble, and get serious. Possible? Yes… Would I bet on it? Doubt it. Don’t get me wrong, Broner at one had much skill and even had a good amateur career. However, time changes everything and Broner is climbing a hill now.
There was no competition when he was down there
As for now, I am not too interested in Broner’s physical boxing skills because I want to see how he mentally handles himself inside/outside the ring.
I am glad to see him at 140.
LOL… I think he’s still a “problem”…… a legal problem!!!!
But, if the man is ready to fight, so be it. He has talent….
At least now that Broner is back, we can root for his next opponent.
Broner was an ok fighter. Watch him fight ponce de Leon if you really think he was something special at jr lightweight or lightweight. More power but same old story. All talk, little action. Daniel got robbed in that one.
I suppose that Ponce de Leon was to Broner what Castillo was to Mayweather. That was a big step-up fight for Broner. It was a legit close fight, but Broner went on a tear after that, starting with his first round KO of Litzau. I still think he was something special at that time, at 130/135. IIRC, he went straight to 147, skipping the 140 lb. division, which in the long-run might not have been a great move. They had him top 10 pound4pound until the Maidana fight, and he deserved to be there IMO. The dude looked great from the Litzau fight through the Gavin Rees fight. Don’t know if he naturally outgrew 135, or just lacked discipline, but it seems he could have ruled a long time if he could have continue to make that weight.
Otto Wallin hmmmm nice
He was supposed to be the next Mayweather but looked average at best vs Ponce De Leon in a showcase. Then bouts against Malignaggi Madana Garcia etc proved he wasn’t much. Too busy wanting to be a rapper.
Still haven’t forgiven Easter for his abomination vs Barthelemy. Not a fan of his style (and not a fan of ANY Barthelemy)
Does anyone care about Broner or even want to see him fight? And then against a no name opponent?
Broner be prepared because Santiago is an undefeated heavy body puncher, even though he is nothing especial, is a hungry fighter in search of a good opportunity, and in boxing for a reason exist the word “upset “.
Good chance of that happening-dosen’t seem likely that Broner turns things around at his age after recent inactivity. Also wondering who considers Broner popular other than the author of this article.
Why is SHO still showing this AB on TV and filling his pockets?!?! I’m watching for the Wallin & Easter fights and then shutting off.
Easter looked like the next big thing for awhile and now seems to be forgotten after one memorable sleep inducing fight.
It will be good to see Walin vs Breazele and Robert Easter Jr back in the ring after a long layoff.
The most laughable quote in this article was Tom Brown saying: “His credentials as a four-division world champion are unquestioned”. Well sure he WON all those cherry picked vacant title and title retention fights. He WON, they were just against mostly unproven guys with only 1 or 2 exceptions. And Tom I also don’t “QUESTION” that AB is not scared to fight Big names. It’s just that most of his big name fights were L’s, or a Draw and they were NOT for a TITLE> so disregard Tom Brown’s BS statement. AB is entertaining out of the ring in a bad way and competitive in the ring, but not dominant. He is the heel but fun to watch. That’s why he is on TV. The turnout and ratings over the skill. What I do QUESTION Tom is how many random people in the street could name 2 of AB’s title wins, excluding Malinaggi. That’s rare that you have a unquestionable World Champion in multiple weight classes that is a TMZ highlight but most people don’t know who he beat to arrive there without looking it up. They only know Paulie who has been in big fights and as a commentator, and the only other LEGIT opponent he beat for a title match was Antonio Demarco. Sorry Tom, I just questioned Broner’s credentials. (Since 95% or more of “4 time champions in history probably have better ones) If you don’t question Adriens credentials then whose credentials would one question? Just shut your mouth and cash checks Tom. Boxing fans are not stupid. Hope your ratings are great and that adrien gets the brakes beat off him. But I doubt it, after all the opponent is a “safe” prospect just getting started with no experience called in on short notice. NICE!!
I do concede that Adrien was a damn good fighter at 130/135 but he was given the easiest opponents for “title retentions” and then he would skip out on a division for another weak “title challenge”. He could have developed into a better fighter but in sports when you keep playing against WEAK competition you don’t get better. My siblings and I always played with older kids in basketball and soccer and it paid off down the road.
That’s why Adrien LOST all his big fights, he never really built up his skills to the point where he could compete and BEAT the big names. So now he’s just a SHOW, and the problem with SHOWTIME is that they Headline AB. They should make his fight
the OPENER, and have Wallin/Breazeale or Robert Easter Jr headline.
Wouldn’t you say Easter Jr has done more in his short # of fights than Broner?(forget about the multiple title garbage)
-1st guy to beat Richard Commey to win title.
(Broner beat Escobedo-a nobody)
-Denis Shafikov was a legit challenger now has over 40 wins
-Javier Fortuna-longtime contender
-Rances Bartholemy-that style is not a walk in the park
Lost to Mikey Garcia- but nobody else wanted to fight Garcia- so respect to take the big fights.
Broner has 15 more fights than Easter Jr but Jr has
already beaten more name fighters in title matches than him.
So that’s the REAL problem here. You know AB isn’t confident right now or he would have the confidence to demand a real opponent. His cockiness is always to hide his insecurity. And on we go with the “4 division title charade” AB owes so much to matchmaking.
Easy to say four division when there are so many-would have been two divisions in the old days. Still impressive but many moved up a division to win a title when there were only eight weight classes.
Ahh, and I see they did another classic move finding the less experienced opponent on short notice to move up in weightclass to 147. Good way to add another handicap guys! It’s no knock on Lobito-I’ll root for him on the upset but they did all they could to stack the odds for a AB tuneup win. Then they will brag about how he took on a “undefeated fighter” in his first fight back…
True but a highly motivated fighter always has a chance against a more skilled lazy one.
I see I misspoke. Broner is fighting at 140 again so his opponent is only coming up 5 lbs in weight.