Adrien Broner Returns Feb. 18 to Meet Adrian Granados

Polarizing former four-division world champion Adrien Broner will make his return to the ring next month when he takes on Adrian Granados. The pairing will take place on Feb. 18 at the Cintas Center at Xavier University in Broner’s hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. Showtime will televise the action.

Broner (32-2, 24 KOs) has won two consecutive bouts since losing a unanimous decision to Shawn Porter in Las Vegas 18 months ago. “The Problem” has won world titles at super featherweight, lightweight and welterweight before dropping down to super lightweight in October 2015 to win the WBA version of the belt. But after knocking out Khabib Allakhverdiev to win a championship in four weight divisions, he was stripped of his crown in next fight by missing weight badly. He is ready to continue his career, which has seen him sitting idle since last April.

“I’m back at home and excited to get back in the ring,” said Broner. “I’m ready to fight. The boxing game isn’t the same without me. Granados is a solid guy who beat someone that no one thought he would beat. I know him well and I know there’s no doubt he’ll be ready to fight.”

Granados (18-4-2, 12 KOs) has won five in a row, the second-longest winning streak of his pro career. While the Illinois native has tangoed with some solid contenders, he hasn’t faced anybody with the toolbox that Broner possesses. That fact hasn’t deterred Granados, who is confident of victory.

“I’m fully prepared to go to war with Adrien Broner on February 18 in Cincinnati,” said Granados. “I’m very thankful to get this big opportunity on Showtime. I’m training hard and I will come out victorious on fight night.”

Also on the card, Gary Russell Jr. (27-1, 16 KOs) will defend his WBC featherweight crown against Oscar Escandon (25-2, 17 KOs) while David Avanesyan (22-1-1, 11 KOs) will look to win the vacant WBA welterweight belt when he faces Lamont Peterson (34-3-1, 17 KOs). Rounding out the main card will be Jermell Charlo (28-0, 13 KOs) aiming to retain his WBC super welterweight strap against Charles Hatley (26-1-1, 18 KOs).