"The Problem" has never had one in making flashy entrances into the ring.
There is nothing quite like the ring walk in boxing. Roy Jones Jr. walking in to his own record, “Mr. Unstoppable.” Floyd Mayweather being carried out on a throne. Chris Eubank Sr. sitting on a Harley. Jorge Arce on a horse. Naseem Hamed’s laughable yet endearing 10-minute long dance-a-thons. And Wladimir Klitschko pushing the pyrotechnic envelope in a long, red robe with the Red Hot Chili Peppers blaring.
While some prefer the stripped-down entrance of a Mike Tyson, others are entertained by the pomp and circumstance of a Hector Camacho. Today’s king of the fistic catwalk is Adrien “The Problem” Broner. On Saturday, January 19, Broner faces Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET /6 p.m. PT). No telling what he’ll do for an encore but here’s a look back at his five most memorable ring entrances:
5 Paulie Malignaggi
Date: June 22, 2013
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
Result: Broner Split Decision Win
The trash talk between Broner and Malignaggi reached Jerry Springer-levels during the pre-fight build-up. Not only was this a major step up in class for Broner, he was moving up two divisions, from lightweight to welterweight. But if “AB” was concerned, it didn’t show. He confidently strode to the ring, flanked by New York rapper French Montana who, fittingly, recited lyrics from his hit record, “Ain’t Worried About Nothin.”
4. Carlos Molina
Date: May 3, 2014
Venue: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada
Result: Broner Unanimous Decision Win
Watching Broner get down in the ring with Rick Ross by his side—mic in one hand, red cup filled with an unknown liquid in another—was probably more entertaining than the fight itself. Ross’ “Box Chevy,” already a hit on the airwaves, went over well with the crowd at the MGM Grand. The fight? Not so much. Broner won in one-sided fashion.
3 Adrian Granados
Date: February 18, 2017
Venue: Cintas Center, Cincinnati
Result: Broner Split Decision Win
Wearing a ski mask and decked in glittery black and gold, Broner shimmied to the ring as rap star Kodak Black lip-synched the lyrics to the 2017 banger, Tunnel Vision. An ironic choice since Broner himself has admitted that’s been lacking between fights. But Broner bit down versus a game Granados, bringing a fun evening to a close with a big tenth round.
2. Emmanuel Taylor
Date: September 6, 2014
Venue: U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati
Result: Broner Unanimous Decision Win
Broner returned to his native Cincinnati for the first time in two years and put on a show before the show. The biggest entourage to ever accompany a fighter to the ring included Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan. Birdman stood directly behind them, nodding his head and rubbing his hands together in satisfaction. Fight fans happily sang along to “Lifestyle” before watching their prodigal son’s victorious homecoming.
1. Khabib Allakhverdiev
Date: October 3, 2015
Venue: U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati
Result: Broner TKO 12
The U.S. Bank Arena could’ve doubled ticket prices for this event. Broner’s bout versus Allakhverdiev was a fight and a concert. The capacity crowd nearly lost their collective minds as Broner and rap group Migos turned the ring walk into Coachella. Broner’s dancing would’ve made Naseem Hamed cringe but that’s part of his chutzpah, his charisma, and why, like it or not, he is must-see TV.
For a closer look at Adrien Broner, check out his fighter page.
- Topics
- Adrien Broner
- Pacquiao vs Broner
