By Ian S Palmer
Adrien Broner, a former three-division world champion, will be stepping back in the ring this Saturday, October 3rd when he takes on former world champion Khabib Allakhverdiev of Russia for the vacant WBA Super Lightweight Championship. This 12-rounder takes place at the U.S. Bank Arena in Broner’s hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio and American fans can check it out on the Showtime Network. Broner’s going after for his fourth world crown in four divisions all by the time he’s 26 years old. Broner will climb through the ropes with a record of 30-2 along with 22 Kos while the 32-year-old Allakhverdiev is an impressive 19-1 with 9 Kos.
Allakhverdiev has stated that he respects Broner as a fine boxer, but doesn’t have anything good to say him outside of the ring. A lot of boxing fans understand where he’s coming from as Broner easily rubs people the wrong way with his egotistical and arrogant attitude. Those fans couldn’t have been happier when Broner suffered his two defeats at the hands of Marcos Maidana of Argentina in 2013 and fellow American Shawn Porter back in June, who both beat him on points.
Broner possesses enough talent to be an elite boxer, but his maturity level and work habits could both do with a lot of improvement. He keeps promising fans that he’s changed, but they’ll have to wait until Saturday night to judge for themselves. He has the advantage of fighting at home and Allakhverdiev hasn’t fought in well over a year, so could have some ring rust to deal with. His last contest came in April of last year when he lost the WBA and IBO crowns to Jessie Vargas by a unanimous decision.
This is basically Broner’s fight to lose and he should have learned enough lessons in his two losses to realize what he needs to do against the southpaw Allakhverdiev. The Russian is technically sound and knows what he’s doing inside the ring, but isn’t all that exciting to watch. He stands 5-feet-8-inches tall and has a solid chin, and will likely need it against Broner. There’s a good chance he can handle Broner’s best shots, but it’s unlikely he’ll land enough of his own to pull off an upset.
Broner may be the smaller fighter at just over 5-foot-6, but he has more speed and power under his belt as well as pro experience. He also owns a 67 per cent knockout ratio compared to Allakhverdiev’s 45 per cent. Broner also has a slight reach advantage at 69.5 inches to 68.
Prediction
Broner is running out of chances when it comes to showing that he’s serious about the sport of boxing. Another loss here would please thousands of fans, but it’s not likely to happen. Allakhverdiev will definitely give it a good shot and hang in there, but unless he outworks Broner every round and can stand up to the American’s power, he’s likely to see Broner walk out of the ring with the belt. Look for Broner to win by decision or a late stoppage.
