Broner: “I’ll fight Pacquiao at any weight”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Adrien Broner, revitalized after a first career loss he dubbed a “wakeup call”, has his eyes on making a successful comeback next week and capturing a fourth world title.

Broner lost a unanimous 12-round decision last December to Argentina’s Marcos Maidana, costing him a welterweight crown and launching the South American into a big money Las Vegas showdown next week against Mayweather.

“Losing that fight was definitely the best thing that ever happened to my career,” Broner said.

“I want to thank the Lord for giving me that wakeup call. Humbled me in ways, but I am still the same.”

Broner, 27-1 with 22 knockouts, steps into the ring for the first time since that loss next week when he makes his super-lightweight debut against fellow American Carlos Molina on the undercard of unbeaten Mayweather’s welterweight title unification showdown with Maidana.

“I’m in shape. I’m ready. You will see a different Adrien Broner on May 3,” Broner said. “I’m going to do some great things and (super-lightweight) looks pretty good to me right now.”

The mega-fight only happened because Broner waived his right to an immediate rematch with Maidana so his idol Mayweather could fight him, a favor that set up an undercard spot for Broner.

“Boxing is boxing and business is business,” Broner said. “I gave them a chance to make that fight happen. What am I supposed to do? What do I have to explain? I’m on the biggest showcase in our sport.”

Broner has previously been World Boxing Organization super featherweight champion, the World Boxing Council lightweight champion and the World Boxing Association welterweight king. After jumping two weight classes, he will step back to super-lightweight in search of another crown.

“I will be trying to make history. I want to be a four-time world champion in four weight classes at 24. I don’t know that anybody has done that,” Broner said. “I know I will be fighting for a world title at 140 pounds soon.”

Broner has been training in Washington at the gym of his friend Lamont Peterson, who is the 140-pound International Boxing Federation champion. And while they have been sparring partners in recent weeks, they have the same promoter and could become title adversaries around the time he turns 25 on July 28.

“We’re brothers on the outside of the ring,” Broner said. “But in that ring, if you don’t come ready to strap up and go to war, you can get beat up pretty badly.”

When it comes to fighting his idol Mayweather, Broner says no, but he would fight Filipino star Manny Pacquiao.

“I’ll fight him at any weight,” he said. “If I can make 115 (pounds) and fight him I’ll do it.”

Broner also has that deal for a Maidana rematch, saying he would be ready in July if Maidana were.

“If somebody don’t take too much punishment, we can fight in July,” Broner said. “At the end of the day, he’s going to have to fight me.” – Rappler.com