Vinny’s Views: Adrien Broner Get Therapy, Wlad Klitschko Face Reality & More…

By Vinny “Glory Days” Lucci

End of summer has arrived and I’m still spitting watermelon seeds in disgust. This has turned out to be a highly pampered year by one too many boxing stars. Let me keep you all up to date and vent before I spill my Café’ Patron. First up, this past week Adrian Broner threatened suicide on his Instagram account by texting, “3 pm. I am doing it. I am sorry to my family and friends but I don’t want to do it anymore.” Then posted a picture of his gun that said “25 minutes.” Social media made it go viral in hours. Cincinnati police were called in to assure if there was a true horror about to unfold.

They confirmed he was ok putting his family’s fears to rest. I am not a fan, I cover boxing from an objective stand point. Someone get this child some therapy. This cry for help is like a twelve year old putting five band aids on a slightly skinned knee for attention. Everything Broner does is for attention. News Flash. His best days are already several years behind in the rear view mirror. It ain’t about billions! You aren’t worth millions in today’s market by turning down a lucrative match with Manny Pacquaio. Time for those who guide his career to take a more vested interest in the kid’s true state of wellbeing if they intend on continuing a present day career with a few possible paydays left.

The December 10th IBF heavyweight title fight with headliners Anthony Joshua and former champ Wlad Klitschko is in serious jeopardy of falling by the wayside, and I mean every minute counts. The huge Ukrainian is holding up signing the contract because he is demanding that the recently vacated WBA belt in which Tyson “No Longer Furious” Fury had to vacate or be stripped is also up for grabs. Here’s another fighter at forty years old who is in serious need of a reality check. At this advanced age and after being humiliated by Fury in a boring face of a title fight ending a ten year reign Wlad is now thinking he can turn back the clock and win all the titles back. There’s not enough cracked ice in my drink to explore how futile that path would be. Let me just say two words, “Evander Holyfield,” and he can do the math himself.

To the rescue comes Eddie Hearn who wants to protect his own interest and his fighter and is committed to keeping the date intact. Not signed but it looks like 33 year old David Price of Liverpool will step in on short notice. The IBF number one contender Joseph Parker who is indeed another force in division to be reckoned with had already committed to fighting Andy Ruiz for Fury’s vacated WBO belt. As for Tyson and his anti-boxing comments and boring irrelevant behavior it is beneath me to write about and give him credence.

While I go top off my beverage of choice, fans are drowning in the mire left behind in the wake of Daniel Jacobs acting like King for the day. His refusal to accept WBA mandate of fighting Gennady Golovkin on December 10 has left a huge void in boxing’s end of the year last grasp for glory. Making matters worse the WBA has not stripped Danny but has given its third extension of its own ruling and allowing the match to be presented by HBO and fulfilled this March. I, for one am no longer holding my breath or will cover the fight in detail until it is signed, sealed and delivered. I wonder if WBA stands for “Without Balls Already!” “GGG” has no time frame to pick a worthy opponent and have it promoted on such short notice so he will join a long list of title holders who are waiting out the year. This has turned out to be an abbreviated work year for Golovkin who fought only twice.

Abel Sanchez is hoping he can upright the current and navigate “GGG” back to four fights in 17 starting with Jacobs, picking up Billy Joe Saunders WBO belt, and after another contender going for fight of the decade against long awaited Canelo Alvarez. Hopefully Golden Boy promoter Oscar De la Hoya will think that a thirty five year old Golovkin will be worn down enough for his golden goose to step up and accept a three year challenge that fans are growing weary waiting for. Billy Joe has a mandate of his own to fight two number one mandatories back to back since he had such a lackadaisical year. Next month he takes on Artur Akovav.

Errol Spence, JR. has been the IBF number one welterweight contender for Kell Brook’s title for several months. The organization has just mandated the fight go into negotiations for the spring of 17. Brook has already claimed he was moving up to the 154 pound junior middleweight division but has yet to vacate his 147 pound throne. Back in training a week already from a broken eye socket endured in title losing effort for all of “GGG’s” hardware. Both Kell and come backing Amir Kahn have expressed a deep interest in finally filling Wembly Arena and having a go at it. Like so many other possibly fan friendly match ups, this is another that hit its expiration date a year ago already. This scribe does not believe Kahn’s surgically repaired hand will hold up in battle as well as Brooks newly minted skull.

Across the internet Danny Garcia keeps taking the hits for cherry picking. His next bout properly labeled a tune up is acceptable but the proposed March date unification with Keith Thurman is another bout I won’t cover in detail until I know the contract has two signatures staining the dotted lines. Danny’s next opponent Samuel Vargas who was blown out in four rounds last year by Errol Spence, JR. would make an interesting statement if he went the distance and made the fight close.

OK, as I am on night cap let’s put a spin on the hijinks and get some good mojo working for fans. Last night David Lemieux’s come back against Cristian Fabian Rios was a spirited affair with lots of action but David ran away with the score cards. Next up, he is in line as a highly possible March fight for Canelo Alvarez. I predict this fight will take place if Billy Joe Saunders isn’t available. In theory, Oscar would love to match him against both because Lemieux loves to stand flat footed and trade playing into Alvarez’s strength and Saunders belt is an attractive vice to keep Abel Sanchez price demands at bay for the mega bout with Golovkin.

The December 10th void left by Jacobs leaving “GGG” at the alter turns out to be good fortune for 140 pound champ Terrence Crawford who has secured the HBO date by his promoter Bob Arum. Look for a great match up against either Eduard Troyanovsky who is 25-0, 22 KO’s or Antonio Orozco who is 25-0, 16 KO’s. Both way fans win and so does the very talented Crawford who gets his third chance this year to highlight his talents. Arum has suggested that Crawford is a very real possibility to be in line to face Manny Pacquiao in May, in what may officially be his farewell bout.

Also on same date Showtime will feature 154 pound champ Jermall Charlo taking on Julian Williams in what promises to be an all action affair on paper. Williams owns a 22-0-1, 14 KO’s and is considered to be the heavier handed of the two.

History in the making one last time for future hall of famer Bernard Hopkins as he prepares to do battle one last time in his farewell fight of his magnificent career. Bhop takes on Joe Smith in a 12 rounder at light heavyweight. Bout to be held at the Forum in Inglewood California promoted naturally by Golden Boy Productions. Bhop’s storied career will be carried in-depth by yours truly as the fight arrives. Hopkins will enter ring at 51 years young and owner of a fantastic record at 55-7-2, 32 KO’s. His resume is littered with some other hall of fame adversaries to compliment long win streaks and overcoming what appeared to be impossible odds, starting with his release from jail early on an 18 year stretch for 9 felony convictions to his pro debut where he endured a loss.

In between two middleweight title reigns he secured more defenses than any other champion at 160 pounds. After losing back to back fights along with his belts to Jermain Taylor it was believed father time had caught up to the willy orthodox Philadelphian, but it was then that Bhop dug deep and beguiled us for years paving his way through the light heavyweight division and taking on another slew of big names challenges. When they close the books on this 6’1” icon, it will be assured we won’t witness another this generation. Smith is 27, and owns a record of 23-1, 18 KO’s. The six foot orthodox fighter has trainer Tommy Gallagher promising a knock out.

Closing time, last call for alcohol……. If you can’t hear the proverbial drum beat then your hearts too into the upcoming World Series. I like the Indians in six, but that’s not the point. Andre Ward’s challenge of light heavy champion Sergey Kovalev is quickly becoming a reality as the clock ticks down to weeks. Finally, a fan friendly fight that didn’t wither or die on the vine.

Stay tuned….

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