Adrien Broner KOs Gavin Rees
Adrien Broner file photo by StiffJab.com
by Gautham Nagesh
Adrien Broner can’t rap, Thankfully for him, he’s excellent at punching people in the face.
“The Problem” cemented his position as the top lightweight in the world in Atlantic City on Saturday night, stopping Gavin Rees of Wales in the 5th round of a scheduled 12 on HBO. Broner dominated the fight, hardly breaking a sweat despite a spirited effort from the Welshman. Broner spent the first two rounds figuring out his opponent, before methodically dismantling Rees over the next three.
Broner’s performance was sterling; good enough to make one almost overlook his awful, impromptu rap concert on the way to the ring. Broner’s extracurricular antics have grown increasingly tired, especially compared to his performances inside the ropes. His failed attempts at wit pale in comparison to the sweet right uppercut that floored Rees in the 4th round, turning the tide firmly in favor of The Problem.
“It’s different levels man. If they go up to one level, I go up to the next level,” Broner said.[[MORE]]
What it comes to fighting, Broner’s talent is undeniable. He’s like a lightweight James Toney, utterly at home inside the ropes. Broner was hardly ruffled by the early onslaught from Rees, even when Gavin caught him with a questionable right to the back of the head. Broner simply doesn’t get ruffled, which is the single best attribute a prizefighter can have.
By the third round, Broner began using his jab to keep Rees out, followed by the left hook to remind him who was in charge. The uppercut came soon after, sending Rees down hard, but he rose and bravely fought back. Broner remained Zen-like, punishing Rees methodically to the head and the body. The 4th was one-sided enough that Rees’ corner considered stopping the fight, but their man convinced them to give him another round.
Broner used that round wisely, catching Rees with a vicious left hook to liver that had him doubled over before going down. Rees rose again, but another flurry from Broner forced both his corner and the ref to stop the fight. The official time was 2:59 of Round 5. The win was Broner’s sixth in a row by stoppage, and looked like his most mature performance to date.
Naysayers will argue still Broner hasn’t fought anyone truly elite, but no such fighters currently exist at lightweight. Ricky Burns is the second-ranked fighter in the weight class, and is scheduled to fight third-ranked Miguel Vazquez in a month at Wembley. Beating the winner would establish Broner as the true champion at 135 lbs., and silence any lingering critics. But he sounded less than impressed by the prospect in his post-fight interview.
Other possibilities include the winner of Sharif Bogere vs. Richard Abril on March 2nd, or moving up to 140 lbs. Regardless, Broner has become must-see TV for many fight fans, both critics and admirers. That ensures he will get the fights he wants, which will hopefully match him against someone that can test his seemingly limitless potential. if Broner wants to be a superstar, he will have to find someone to play a credible B-side to his lead at some point in the near future.
Super middleweight contender Sakio Bika won the televised opener over Nikola Sjekloca by unanimous decision after 12 rounds. The fight was typical for Bika: rugged, and not very aesthetically appealing. Sjekloca was game, but lacked either the speed or power to seriously challenge Bika. Bika is now the WBC’s mandatory challenger at 168 lbs., which of course means exactly nothing.