Opinion: Adrien Broner’s Biggest Problem is Adrien Broner

Your worst enemy in boxing is usually the opponent standing across from you trying to cram the leather from his boxing gloves into your face repeatedly until you lose consciousness. Adrien Broner’s worst enemy continues to be the man in the mirror.

With reports coming in that Broner is facing felony assault and aggravated robbery chargers in his hometown of Cincinnati just a week before his April 1 fight with Ashley Theophane, you have to wonder how much longer he will last in this sport. He came into the game with high expectations and quickly showcased that he had the talent to one day be great by capturing world titles in four weight classes by the age of 26. However, what he has accomplished inside the ring is not what he’s known for. It’s what he continues to do outside of it.

Admittedly, when the reports rolled in that Broner assaulted a man outside of a bowling alley in January after a heated game involving money and then took $12,000 out of the unconscious man’s pocket, I wasn’t all that surprised. Sadly, it sounds like something Broner would do, not necessarily the pistol-whipping part but everything else leading up to it. Betting thousands in competitive bowling doesn’t sound outlandish considering that Broner is known to treat money like toilet paper. Maybe he did beat up the alleged victim, maybe he didn’t, but the nickname “The Problem” sticks with Broner for good reason. For whatever reason, he believes he’s invincible and because of that, he can’t get out of his own way.

During the early part of his career, Broner showcased his talent but was often busy trying to make himself a reality show celebrity in the process. He tried his hand at a rap career, would post ridiculous videos of himself treating money like trash and would be caught doing silly things in various night clubs and strip clubs. He really didn’t care as long as people were watching.

His enormous ego has become quite problematic. If he had a little more humility, maybe he would improve as a talent inside of the ring and as an individual outside of it. Back when he jumped weight classes to face Marcos Maidana, it was evident that Broner bit off more than he could chew and paid for it dearly by being soundly battered around the ring. However, that wasn’t the problem. People lose all the time. It’s how Broner handled the loss that has been detrimental to his career, including his refusal to learn that maybe he needs to focus more on his craft than the clown act in and out of the ring. Unfortunately, his antics are behind why he has become a relatively wealthy man at such a young age. Still, the act has worn thin and Broner is no longer one of boxing’s most promising talents.

You would think that a second loss to Shawn Porter in June would have humbled Broner enough to the point where he’d tone down his act. That certainly hasn’t been the case. He’s embroiled in a strange feud with his self-proclaimed “big brother” Floyd Mayweather Jr., as the two trade words in interviews; it has led to the April 1 fight between Broner and Mayweather’s fighter Ashley Theophane. What’s interesting is how sensible Mayweather has looked in this battle of fictional siblings, while Broner continues to be irrational. Mayweather has chided Broner for how he flaunts his money and his personality. Broner has shot back that he didn’t say anything when Mayweather did it in his career. Therein lies the problem: Broner is not Mayweather.

Some of the things that Mayweather did were by design to draw heat. As long as he kept winning, being hated is what got the bills paid. Now that he’s retired and older, he’s able to step back and see “The Problem” for what he is: a problem. This isn’t to say Mayweather was an angel, because he’s had his own run-ins with the law. However, when the richest athlete in the world has some constructive criticism, it’s best that you adhere to his advice. Broner’s ego won’t allow him to understand that Mayweather is trying to help him. Maybe if he listened he would focus on becoming a better boxer and he wouldn’t have time to bet thousands of dollars in a bowling alley and subject himself to activity that could derail his already unstable boxing career.

He’s only 26 years old and isn’t too old to get himself on the right track. However, at the rate he’s going, Broner will be an ESPN “30 For 30” special before we know it.

Andreas Hale is the editorial content director of 2DopeBoyz.com, co-host of the boxing, MMA and pro wrestling podcast “The Corner” and a regular columnist for Sherdog.com. You can follow on Twitter for his random yet educated thoughts on combat sports, music, film and popular culture.