Adrien “The Problem” Broner and Emanuel “Tranzformer” Taylor held a kickoff press conference at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati on Thursday to formally announce their upcoming showdown on Saturday, Sept. 6, LIVE on SHOWTIME®.
Broner (28-1, 22 KOs) will return to his hometown of Cincinnati for the first time in two years and will face Taylor (18-2, 12 KOs) in a 12-round super lightweight bout in the main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader from U.S. Bank Arena.
In the co-feature, former WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse (35-3, 33 KOs) will square off with Mexico’s highly touted Roberto “Massa” Ortiz (31-0-1, 24 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout. Opening the telecast will be the return of former welterweight world champion Andre Berto (28-3, 22 KOs) against an opponent to be announced.
ADRIEN BRONER
“I’m more than excited to be back in Cincinnati. It’s like when you spoil a kid -when you buy a kid a new pair of sneakers, the next time they come out they are going to expect another pair. Every time I’ve fought at home I gave my fans a knockout. I spoiled my fan base in Cincinnati. So every time I fight here that’s what they want.
“I have to give them a knockout, I got to. And it’s got to be pretty, too. I think I’m going to hit him with the 30 piece and the biscuit.
“My fans keep supporting me and I’m going to fight for them. We’ve waited a long time to get to this spot and now we have to stay on top.
“My mind isn’t anywhere but on Emanuel Taylor. That’s my main objective. After I get my job done then I’ll think about another fight. But right now I’m focused on what I have to do.”
“I’m going to put on a show like I always do and I’m ready right now.
“I know Taylor pretty well and I respect him, but at the end of the day he’s my enemy. I have to go out there and get my victory.”
EMANUEL TAYLOR, Super Lightweight Contender:
“He can’t get under my skin. I always keep my calm. I knew he was going to talk, but at the end of the day we have to throw our hands.
“I’m definitely an underdog, but I can’t tell you my game plan. We just have to go in there and do what we have to do to get a win.
“I have to beat him really bad to get the win, I know that. I know we’re going up against the odds fighting him in his hometown. I’m going to go in there and fight my fight. That’s what we train hard for.
“I saw his fight against [Marcos] Maidana and I saw a lot of weaknesses there. But that’s not the only way he can be beaten. I definitely can take advantages of his weaknesses but I have some other plans for fighting this guy.
“I’m definitely looking to make a statement. This is the biggest fight of my career. This is what I’ve been working for my whole life since I was a little kid. It’s my time to make a statement.
“I’m coming to fight to give the fans what they want. At the end of the day may the best man win. I’m coming here to fight and do my thing.”
RAU’SHEE WAREN, Undefeated Bantamweight Prospect:
“This is my first time fighting in my hometown as a pro and everyone knows how badly I’ve wanted this.
“It’s no secret that I’ve been trying to get a fight in Cincinnati ever since I first turned pro this is all I wanted.
“I’m so happy to have the chance on September 6 to put on a show for my hometown fans.”
MIKE STAFFORD, Broner and Warrens Trainer:
“It brings tears to my eyes to be here. Without Golden Boy [Promotions] we couldn’t keep these kids fighting in the ring. You see the matches they make and everyone needs to acknowledge what Golden Boy is doing.
“Emanuel’s coaches said they weren’t going to fight Adrien [Broner], for a whole week, but eventually it was up to the fighter and he made the decision to fight Adrien in Cincinnati. He’s coming off of a good win and you have to take your hat off to him.
“Don’t just come out for Adrien. Come out for the undercard. We have guys in camp and all they’re thinking about is Cincinnati.”
