American boxer Adrien Broner withdraws from his weekend fight, citing mental health concerns
- Adrien Broner has withdrawn from his Saturday fight against Omar Figueroa Jr., citing mental health.
- Figueroa does not seem to believe the reason, saying, "Fuck Broner" on Twitter.
American boxer Adrien Broner has withdrawn from his Saturday match against Omar Figueroa Jr., citing mental health concerns.
The bout was due to headline a Premier Boxing Champions on Showtime event in Florida but the show shall go on as organizers already sought Sergey Lipinets as a replacement opponent for Figueroa.
"Sorry to all my fans, but mental health is real, and I'm not about to play inside the ring," Broner said in a post to his 1.1 million followers on Instagram.
"I've watched a lot of people die playing with their boxing career, and that is something I won't do," he said.
The 33-year-old added: "I need to make some changes for the better instead of worrying about other people feelings and pleasing them when In all reality I have nothing to prove to nobody."
Broner said that as a four-time world champion in four different weight classes he feels he's done enough in his career already to get inducted into the sport's Hall of Fame.
"I have to step back and overcome this obstacle before I go put my life on the line inside the square circle again," Broner continued.
"I know I'm far from being finished with the sport. See y'all soon."
Broner stormed out of a remote presser last month
A virtual press event, designed to generate interest in the Broner vs. Figueroa bout, had been held in July and made headlines when Broner said only a few words, expressed disgust at having to do a Zoom-type event, then left in a huff.
"When you say it's fuck me, it's fuck y'all," he said.
Broner fumed at the Zoom because, he claimed, PBC on Showtime organizers would never have treated Floyd Mayweather that way. He insisted a Floyd event would be done in person.
The boxer later apologized for the outburst and rearranged a remote conference with the sport's media.
"Listen, man. I was just frustrated with a lot of shit that's going on in my life," he said on Instagram.
"Me and Showtime Boxing, and [PBC founder and owner] Al Haymon, have no problems whatsoever."
Lipinets replaces Broner
Shortly after Broner's social media comment this week, organizers at PBC on Showtime distributed statements of their own that indicated the show will go on as planned, albeit with Lipinets.
"We've actually been in camp for almost three months getting ready for whoever they put in front of me," Lipinets said in a statement sent to Insider.
Lipinets said they've been in camp to train for "no particular opponent" but have been sparring and preparing to compete, regardless.
"Now we get this great news that I get to fight Figueroa this Saturday," said Lipinets.
'Fuck Broner,' Figueroa said
Figueroa did not initially believe Broner's comment.
In a statement on Twitter, Figueroa said he and his team did not mind Broner's withdrawal, as it was something "we expected."
Figuroa added: "So we had plans to mitigate most of the aftermath. What really pisses me off is that now this mf wants to use mental health as an excuse. That I have a problem with because that's BS!"
Figuroa claimed, without evidence, that Broner had been "undisciplined" through camp.
He then demanded proof that Broner sought professional health. "You don't get to undermine mine and countless other's journey and struggles with mental health because of your undisciplined/childish dumbass."
In a later statement sent to Insider, Figueroa added: "This is going to be a great fight against Lipinets, and I hope he's ready for what I'm bringing.
"I've made changes in my life and I'm excited to see the kind of fighter that I am now. I'm going to show what I can do now that I have a clear head and a clear path ahead of me.
"With the opponent change, I'm even more ready to take all the frustrations and anger that have built up in camp and bring it into the ring on Saturday and come out victorious."