This is no April Fools joke.
Amid all the allegations of criminality in his native Cincinnati, Ohio, Adrien Broner versus Ashley Theophane will dominate this weekends fighting options.
Brought to you by Premier Boxing Champions, the event features a slew of up-and-comers from the co-promoting teams of Mayweather Promotions, About Billions Promotions and local Washington, D.C. based, Head Bangers Promotions.
Four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner, 26, who vacated his WBA Super Lightweight title yesterday by weighing in at 140.4 (0.4 over the title limit) will face 140-pound contender Ashley “The Treasure” Theophane.
(Photo Credit: USA Today)
Theophane, 35, has everything to gain, inclusive of a percentage of Broners purse for still agreeing to the fight, as the vacant belt is his for the taking if victorious tonight.
Broner (31-2-0) missing weight and never returning to re-weigh yesterday, after an accommodating two-hour weight cut grace period by the D.C. Boxing Commission, has had a tumultuous time juggling, athletics, promoting and charges stemming from a bowling bet gone wrong.
In addition to trash-talking his mentor, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., as the two go head-to-head as promotional rivals, Broners last win against Khabib Allakhverdiev securing the WBA Junior Welterweight title was a rebound after suffering a loss to Ohio rival, Shawn Porter.
The British Theophane (39-6-1), who has won English and world boxing titles and is currently on a six-fight unbeaten streak, is promoted by Floyd Mayweather.
Serving as the co-main event is highly touted AB Promotions Robert Easter, Jr. taking on former IBF Super Featherweight champion, Algenis Mendez (23-3-1) in a Lightweight showdown.
Easter, Jr., 25, of Toledo, Ohio is unbeaten after 16 bouts and is someone that AB Promotions is looking to bring to the forefront.
“This is a big night for my little brother and protg, Robert Easter Jr., said Broner. He does things that amaze me. I know what he’s capable of. I’m happy for him to get this chance against a former world champion. It’s going to be a heated matchup. This whole card is stacked from the top to the bottom.
Also, rising Mayweather Promotions fighter & Baltimore native, Gervonta “The One” Davis faces Mexico’s Guillermo Avila in a 10-round super featherweight battle that opens the PBC show on Spike TV.
“I’m happy to be fighting at home, said Davis. I don’t want to rush in there. That’s how you lose. We’re going to work our jab, go in and out and execute a game plan. It means a lot to fight at the DC Armory because I had my first professional fight there. I’m looking forward to getting in the ring again. I know my opponent is strong and will be ready. This is another step on the way to a world title. April 1st will be an epic night.”
Broner vs. Theophane is live on Spike TV tonight at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
