Manny Pacquiao, right, congratulating Juan Manuel Marquez this past December (Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank)
By Chris Robinson
Having a conversation with three-division world champion Adrien Broner can be a trying process.
To say that the Cincinnati native is a little brash would be an understatement, and the fact that Broner seems to find his own kind of humor in even the most straightforward of subjects means you might not always get the answers you want from him.
Last month in Indio, Calif., the dialogue with the 24-year old champion was deeper than usual, as our conversation covered such topics as a possible bout with Marcos Maidana, the Floyd Mayweather-Saul Alvarez event, his love for his kids, cherishing the spotlight, and dealing with critics.
Having temporarily relocated to Las Vegas as he dives back into training, with a Maidana clash likely on his horizon, Broner has again been brief and whimsical when interviewed.
Asked for his take on the Nov. 23 Manny Pacquiao-Brandon Rios pay per view event set to take place in Macau, China, Broner seemed to have no recollection of the eight-division champion from the Philippines or his foe.
“Who’s that?” Broner asked when questioned about the matchup. “Them one guys?”
Broner didn’t watch Pacquiao’s devastating knockout loss at the hands of his rival Juan Manuel Marquez this past December but he was able to view some photos of him lying unconscious instantly after the defeat.
“I seen the picture,” Broner said. “I thought it was photo shopped. Because he looked like he was planking.”
Broner was asked if he feels Pacquiao has recovered from that setback heading into the Rios melee.
“You never know what happens,” Broner stated. “Boxing is crazy. You never know what could happen. Maybe he could come back stronger; maybe he can come back not the same.
“It’s up to him,” Broner added. “He gotta overcome that loss. Some people don’t know how to take a loss.”
And come Nov. 23, don’t expect Broner to be on the edge of his seat during Pacquiao vs. Rios.
“I really don’t watch too many people in boxing,” Broner explained. “There’s only two people in boxing I watch. Floyd and this one little guy. They’re saying that he’s going to take over boxing after Floyd. I think his name is Adrien Broner.”
Please check out Chris Robinson’s exclusive interview with Adrien Broner below as well as his other exclusives
Broner reveals what it will take for Manny Pacquiao to bounce back against Brandon Rios
Lucas Matthysse ripping the mitts with Luis ‘Cuty’ Barrera [Behind the scenes part 2]
Chris Arreola on the Mitchell blowout, Deontay Wilder, keeping it real, training camp memories, more
Seth Mitchell feels he can bounce back following the knockout loss to Chris Arreola
Josesito Lopez on Arreola’s big win, Mayweather vs. Canelo, Maidana facing Broner, Garcia-Matthysse
Henry Ramirez speaks on Chris Arreola’s big knockout over Mitchell and eyes the future
Chris Arreola’s media day workout before the Seth Mitchell fight [Bonus footage]
Behind the scenes with Lucas Matthysse in Indio as he trains for Danny Garcia [Part 1]
Weigh-in footage: Chris Arreola talks trash to Seth Mitchell; both men coming in at 242 pounds
Official weigh-in: Rafael Marquez vs. Efrain Esquivias [Showtime Championship Boxing]
Seth Mitchell media workout footage ahead of big clash with Chris Arreola
Chris Arreola clowns Seth Mitchell and reveals why he likely won’t fight Deontay Wilder next
Lucas Matthysse admits he hasn’t watched many of Danny Garcia’s fights
Nacho Beristain gives updates on Juan Manuel Marquez’s training for Timothy Bradley
Rafael Marquez on facing Leo Santa Cruz, Abner Mares’ upset loss, Juan’s bout with Bradley, more
‘Cuty’ Barrera on moving Matthysse’s camp to Indio, assessing Danny Garcia, sparring partners, more
Lydell Rhodes returns to camp; sharp mittwork with Floyd Mayweather Sr. [September 2013]
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com