Talkative Broner to face Porter on NBC boxing card, eyes title shot

Adrien Broner is a man without a belt. But he’s also a man with a mentor in Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Together, perhaps they can get Broner, a former champion in three weight divisions, back to the top. If Broner is willing to listen to Mayweather.

Broner, a former welterweight champion from Cincinnati, faces another former welterweight champion from Ohio in Shawn Porter of Akron on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden in the main event of the Premier Boxing Champions on NBC card.

It’s being billed as “The Battle of Ohio,” but the reality is the 10-round bout, which will be fought at a catch-weight of 144 pounds, can position the winner for a welterweight title fight this year.

Mayweather will fight Sept. 12 at the Grand Garden and has said he probably will retire after that. That means his World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization belts will be up for grabs. The Broner-Porter winner could find himself in position to fight for one of those titles.

“I’m already back,” Broner said Thursday after he traded verbal barbs with Porter’s father and trainer, Kenny, at a news conference at the MGM Grand. “This will be easy work. God blessed me with things everybody doesn’t have, and I’ll be showing those things come Saturday.”

Broner (30-1, 22 knockouts) was impressive when he beat John Molina Jr. by unanimous decision in the inaugural PBC on NBC card March 7 at the MGM Grand. His immense boxing skills were evident, and he kept his clowning inside the ring to a minimum.

“I looked exactly how I felt — great,” Broner said.

But at 25, there’s still plenty of room for Broner to mature. Mayweather, whose company is promoting Saturday’s card, said as much Wednesday. And when Broner went after Porter and his dad Thursday, Mayweather was right there on the dais watching.

“I’m fighting Shawn Porter, a football player, and I’m also fighting his dad,” Broner said. Then he turned to Mayweather and asked, “If I kick both their butts, do I get paid twice?”

Actually, it was a funny line. Broner kept denigrating his opponent, making fun of Porter and his dad, who were sharply dressed in suits and ties while Broner appeared in sweatpants and a T-shirt.

“It’s nothing,” Broner said of his verbal assault on Porter. “He knows he’s going to get his butt whipped on Saturday.”

Broner said what worked against Molina might not work against Porter (25-1-1, 17 KOs).

“You never know, every fight is different,” Broner said. “I know he’s going to be ready because it’s the biggest fight of his life. I’ve prepared well for Shawn Porter, and I’ll do what I have to do, make my adjustments and get my victory.

“Saturday, I’m gonna put on a show. This boy ain’t gonna beat me. I’ve got him. I can see it in his eyes. He can’t get in my head.”

■ NOTES — Phil Lo Greco (26-1, 14 KOs) has replaced Roberto Garcia as the opponent for unbeaten welterweight Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday’s undercard. Garcia pulled out for personal reasons. ... Las Vegas heavyweight Michael Hunter (7-0, four KOs) faces Deon Elam of Los Angeles (14-2, eight KOs) on the undercard. ... Fans who purchase tickets to Saturday’s PBC on NBC card can use them for admission to Sunday’s PBC on CBS card. Saturday’s card begins at 2:15 p.m., with NBC going live at 5:30. Sunday’s card begins at noon, with CBS going live at 1 p.m.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.