More talent at junior welterweight.
Four-division world champion and former Manny Pacquiao victim Adrien Broner is back—and he is as bombastic as ever.
Inactive for over two years, Broner returned to the bright lights of prizefighting on Saturday dominating the unheralded Bill Hutchinson en route to a unanimous decision victory—his 35th as against 4 losses and 1 draw.
The one-sided win was to be expected, as Hutchinson is essentially a lawyer moonlighting as a boxer and is levels below the former kingpin at 126, 130, 135, and 140. Broner’s in-ring post-fight interview went about just as expected as well, with the 33-year-old having some choice words as to what he needed after the fight, before calling on all-comers.
“Anybody can get it—Africans, Americans, Domicans,” Broner proclaimed boldly, channeling his inner Don King, who, not coincidentally, is now his promoter. “No disrespect to no life form out there, but attorney [Hutchinson] just got it. Anybody can get it.”
Turning a bit serious, Broner outlined exactly who he wants next: Anybody with a title.
That means the winner of Josh Taylor versus Teofimo Lopez on Sunday for the WBO belt, or WBA champion Rolly Romero, whom Broner derisively called “Romelo” and “Retardo.” It can also mean Subriel Matias, the current IBF title holder, or Regis Prograis, the WBC kingpin.
Regardless of who’s next, Broner’s comeback adds to what is fast emerging as one of the most stacked divisions in boxing, which figures to add even more talent with lightweight champion Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia planning to move up to 140.