"DanielSan never fought Mr. Miyagi." Those were the disparaging words of none other than Floyd "Money" Mayweather after imploring the media not to encourage an encounter with boxing's latest phenomenon, Adrien "The Problem" Broner. This Saturday, June 22nd Broner steps up two weight classes to face the verbally infectious Paulie Malignaggi for the WBA Welterweight title; and by this time tomorrow barring the coming of the Lord, I largely suspect Broner will be the newly crowned WBA Welterweight Champion.
Interesting, "Mr. Miyagi" resides at 147lbs. and has five bouts to fulfill his obese contract with Showtime, after which his Moneyness has declared will conclude his stellar career. The question I have and I am sure fight fans will especially be buzzing about this time tomorrow, assuming Paulie Malignaggi doesn't suddenly discover how to fight with both hands, is "Does Broner want the keys to the throne? Or Will 'DanielSan' obey Sensei Miyagi and merely wait his turn as Massa Mayweather takes his rather expensive victory lap? I am not a member of the press nor of the infamous Money Team, thus, "Mr. Miyagi's" pleas do not pertain to me. By trade I am a rabble rouser. My profession requires that I be a catalyst for the impossible, the daring, even the absurd. In that respect I am merely doing my job.
Rarely has boxing been gifted this kind of potential crossroads moment, where the universally recognized kingpin of the sport, still equipped with his faculties and abilities, is on a collision course with a young, primed upstart, who many say is a younger version of himself. Joe Louis was long past his prime when he was eviscerated by Rocky Marciano's right hand. By the time Muhammed Ali squared off against Larry Holmes he wasn't even a shell of himself. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is still fresh and dangerous. A showdown with the young and viciously skilled Adrien Broner would be exceedingly beneficial for combatants, fans, and the sport. Everything from the promotion to the actual showdown itself will not merely resurrect the sport, but cause it to ascend to heavenly heights putting it center stage in the sports universe and Pop culture at large, particularly Hip Hop culture. I will dare say that its significance could easily match that of Muhammed Ali and the late great Joe Frazier's first encounter. The question however is simple, does Adrien Broner want the keys to the throne? No one doubts Broner is destined for a Hall of Fame career, barring some unforeseen misfortune inside the ropes or uncheck self destructive habits outside the squared circle. The question is how does Broner wish to ascend that throne? Does he snatch the keys or do as he's been told...wait? "The Problem's" answer will determine future events within the sport, assuming Mayweather does away with four of his next five foes, saving the best for last, Adrien Broner.
The assumed obstacle to all this is the fact that both Mayweather and Broner are managed by the brilliant Al Haymon. But, as the Holy Bible declares, "...money answers all things." Boxing and much of life in America has a way of adjusting for big numbers and a Mayweather vs. Broner scrap will without question generate some seriously huge numbers. It doesn't matter that the mainstream fan may not have a clue who Broner is. Once upon a time they hadn't a clue who Floyd Mayweather was either. However, television is magic and has a way of converting the obscure into the omnipresent. Broner, like Mayweather is blessed with the kind of personality that will indeed cause you to love him or hate him, either way you're going to watch him. The verbal sparring that such an event would encourage is Reality TV gold, needless to say, it would be Al Haymon's managerial coronation. What better way for Mayweather to punctuate an already glorious career then to do away with his assumed heir? What better way for Broner to ascend boxing's Pound for Pound throne and usher in his own reign then giving the smack down to an all time great of Mayweather's caliber? It takes two to tangle, but it takes one to instigate. Yo, Adrien, do you want the keys to the throne?!
© 2013
*Ecclesiastes 10:19
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