[ Bell dings ]
Lennon: Fight fans, here we go.
It's time for the bout you've all been waiting for.
Man #1: This crowd's going wild!
Man #2: My God, look at that.
He is in trouble! Look at his legs!
Ranallo: The crowd is electric!
Man #3: Tyson bringing it on.
Down goes Bruno into the ropes!
Man #4: A right by Barkley, and Hearns is down!
Man #5: Oh, down goes Chavez for the first time in his Career!
What a shot by Evander Holyfield!
Castillo's in trouble!
Man: What a fight!
Lennon: I-I-It's showtime!
Ranallo: Adrien Broner, 6-1 in championship fights,
with five wins inside the distance.
Khabib Allakhverdiev, 2-1 in championship affairs,
with one win inside the distance.
[ Bell dings ]
The bell and round one,
Broner sporting the colors of his hometown
NFL Cincinnati Bengals, they're 3-0.
He's 3-0 in this venue.
While Allakhverdiev sports white trunks.
Bernstein: Allakhverdiev, coming in off that 18-month layoff.
We've alluded to it.
It's important for him,
to, hopefully, from his standpoint, anyway,
not have ring rust.
Ranallo: Last time fighters coming off losses
contested for a championship was back in November, 2010,
when Carl Froch up-pointed Arthur Abraham
to win the vacant super middleweight championship
in the super six.
Before that, well, it'd been 75 years
when Freddie Miller and Jose Girones battled
in 1935 for a featherweight crown.
Bernstein: That's a long time.
That's almost as long as the Cubs
not winning the World Series.
Ranallo: 1908.
Bernstein: You know, Allakhverdiev wants --
really wants to be busy in this fight,
but so far, he's gone a long way in Round 1,
and only thrown four punches.
Malignaggi: You can't just attack Adrien Broner that way.
Bernstein: No. Malignaggi: 'Cause he'll counter you.
But right now, Broner has come up short
with some check left hooks.
Allakhverdiev's been jabbing mainly to the chest and stomach.
But he's got a weird rhythm.
And it's preventing Broner from being able to time him.
Bernstein: Yeah, that's true.
Malignaggi: He's got this little jittery half step.
And mixing it with some jabs.
Let's see how it plays out.
Ranallo: Of course you can attack the WBA
who hands out the titles
like Costco hands out free samples, Al.
1:30 left in the opening round.
And a rather cautious start.
Bernstein: Allakhverdiev throwing that left hand.
And he wants to throw it a lot.
And then working downstairs, as well.
Ranallo: Right hand to the body by the southpaw.
As a pro, Broner has fought left-handers.
Antonio Demarco, who he dispatched in eight rounds,
Daniel Donce de Leon, who he barely got past via decision,
as well as Carlos Claudio and Roberto Acevedo.
And really, Antonio Demarco, the best of the fighters
he defeated in terms of getting up there.
Because I know he beat our colleague Paulie Malignaggi,
but that's debated to this day.
And there's the overhand left by Allakhverdiev.
Malignaggi: There's a check hook by Broner.
Bernstein: Trying to land that punch
and the counter right, as well, early in the fight.
Both men normally throw in the range
of 40-some punches a round.
They won't even make that in Round 1.
Ranallo: Well, of course, Broner coming off that ugly loss
to Shawn Porter where he held and held and held some more.
Clowned around before landing a left hook
in the 12th and final round.
[ Board clacks ]
Promising to be more exciting,
promising to be all about business in boxing here tonight.
Allakhverdiev going on the attack.
[ Bell dings ] Dock: Time!
Ranallo: Let's go to the keys to victory.
[ Applause ]
Bernstein: We will begin by looking at
Adrien Broner's keys to victory.
I think he needs to be a bit busier in this fight.
They talked about the fact they want to do that.
Can't stay on the ropes.
And he didn't do that in Round 1.
He wants to be off those ropes.
He did land some very nice right hands in the first round.
And that's gonna be a key to him.
That and the check left hook that Paulie talked about.
As for Allakhverdiev, the jab is important.
He didn't use that punch that much in Round 1.
Did move his head a bit.
Didn't get hit with that many counter punches.
And he did start to punch in combination
a little bit to the body and the head.
[ Whistle blows ]
Dock: Seconds out!
[ Indistinct shouting ]
[ Bell dings ]
Ranallo: Bell in round number two.
Broner pawing away at the jab.
Straight left to the sternum by Allakhverdiev.
Bernstein: Paulie made the good point,
that you can't just rush in against Broner.
You can feel right away the real estate is changing a bit.
Allakhverdiev is getting closer.
Malignaggi: He's getting closer, but he can't bank on landing
the first one or two shots on Broner.
You got to throw a combination
and probably understand you're gonna miss
the first one or two shots, but put him in position
where you land the third and fourth shots.
Right now Allakhverdiev is not doing that,
so when he gets close, the only thing he's able to do
is land to the body.
[ Indistinct shouting ]
Ranallo: There's Broner on the ropes,
where he has some issues
and had issues against Marcos Maidana for sure.
There he fires off the jab,
but we thought we'd see an uptick in output early.
And that's not the case.
There's another jab that misses.
Right hand that misses by Broner.
Allakhverdiev misses with the left.
Bernstein: Paulie made the good point
that if Broner gives you the body --
Paulie landed many body shots -- nice counter right.
Ranallo: Nice short right uppercut by Broner.
Bernstein: But you have to get credit
for landing those body shots if you do land them.
Malignaggi: That's the thing about Allakhverdiev,
if you throw only single shots at Broner,
he's in position to counter them.
If you start putting them together,
the mistake Broner ends up doing is, he locks his body up.
He gets into that closed shell
and he's not able to punch off that.
But right now Allakhverdiev,
though he's not getting countered every time,
if you throw one or two shots at a time,
it's hard to put something together.
Ranallo: Another straight left hand
to the body by Allakhverdiev.
Coming up on the final minute of the second round.
Malignaggi: A Tit-for-Tat game.
Broner will play that with you all day.
And he's good at it.
Bernstein: This is the pace that Broner wants in the fight.
Malignaggi: Yeah.
Bernstein: These are close rounds, clearly.
And there's nice body work by Allakhverdiev.
Malignaggi: Broner rarely throws a combination.
He does throw them at times, and they're flashy,
but he likes to pot shot you and keep the single shots going.
So if you're gonna play that game with him,
it's tough to beat him 'cause he's very good at it.
Ranallo: Would you like that see him throw combinations, Paulie?
Malignaggi: Well, he does throw combinations.
When he dropped Emmanuel Taylor last year,
it was off a combination.
But he throws them rarely. He budgets them.
This is mostly what he does.
He mostly pot shots and throws little counters in there.
Ranallo: Nice right uppercut by Broner.
Malignaggi: It's up to Allakhverdiev
to change the pace of the fight by putting shots together
and not playing the same game Broner is playing.
[ Board clacks ]
Ranallo: Allakhverdiev has been successful
In scoring to the body with that left hand.
Goes to the body again, meanwhile, counter left hook
and right hand upstairs by Broner.
There's Adrien "The Problem" Broner's family.
Now the father of six.
Saying he's become more focused.
Instead of wondering about his rap career,
he wants to spend more time with his kids.
Look, you got to put them together, okay?
All right? Let's go. Come on.
Stay off them damn ropes, okay?
Stay off them ropes.
That's where he wants you to be.
Stay off them Goddamn ropes, okay?
Let's go. Come on. Put it together.
Uppercut, come with the hook.
Put the combination together.
Let's go. All right?
Bernstein: Allakhverdiev did have a couple of moments
where you see him pawing with the jab
and is able to get the straight right hand in
and then go downstairs.
But Adrien Broner in the last round,
using the uppercut very effectively on the inside.
That's a punch that he has often used
and he was able to land some right counter punches
in the last round.
[ Bell dings ]
Ranallo: Round 3 underway here in Cincinnati.
The home of Adrien "The Problem" Broner.
He's fought in this city 13 times, in this venue.
Now headlining for the fourth time, undefeated.
Khabib Allakhverdiev used to going into hostile territory.
Coming off a career long layoff.
Nice right hand by Allakhverdiev.
Bernstein: There's Broner tying him up on the inside.
Now, against Shawn Porter,
many people were critical of Tony Weeks
for not taking a point away until finally the 11th round.
Broner will do that when he feels like
he has an issue on the inside.
[ Indistinct shouting ]
Ranallo: There's a good left hook by Broner
following the range-finding jab.
Picking off Allakhverdiev, coming forward.
A minute gone in Round 3.
A lot of feinting.
Malignaggi: See what Allakhverdiev was doing?
He was trying to land the first and second shots.
Those are the ones you don't need to land.
Those are the ones you got to throw
so that Broner goes defensive,
and you can set him up for the third and fourth.
Allakhverdiev gets really close
and then wants to land that first and second shot.
It's gonna be very difficult to do that.
Bernstein: You look at the total power punches so far
in this fight --
Allakhverdiev has been busier, of course.
But Broner landing approximately the same percentage.
And a lot of those are body shots by Allakhverdiev.
In fact, Broner has not landed one body shot yet
according to shostats
Ranallo: There's a right hand by Broner.
Misses with the other. Just misses with the left hook.
And Allakhverdiev comes back.
Malignaggi: I want tonight's compubox guy to press the buttons
when I fought Broner two years ago.
He's giving him credit for the body shots.
[ Laughter ]
Ranallo: A minute left in the third round, Paulie.
Bernstein: I think they gave you body shot credit.
Two of the judges didn't, that's for sure.
[ Chuckles ] Oh...
Ranallo: There's a nice jab from Broner.
What do they say about sleeping dogs, Mr. Malignaggi?
40 seconds left in the third.
Malignaggi: Right now, Allakhverdiev has to not let the sleeping dog lie.
Right now, he's allowing Broner to just fight his fight,
fight at his pace and this potshot game,
Broner will play with you for 20 rounds
if you want to go at it.
Ranallo: There's right uppercut on the break by Broner.
Backing up.
The southpaw Allakhverdiev going over the top with the right.
Malignaggi: There he goes.
Ranallo: Now the right hook.
Bernstein: The right hook is going to end up being
an important weapon in this fight.
Malignaggi: Not just that.
You're coming back with a right hook,
that means you're coming back with a third shot.
'Cause you're throwing a 1-2 and stopping.
There he came back with a right hook,
he came back with two or three of them.
Ranallo: Not a bad round for Khabib Allakhverdiev
as we go to Round 4.
Malignaggi: You see what happens when he brings the third shot
and a fourth shot?
It starts to become a bit more of an effective combination.
♪♪
When he gets inside, the work is good.
You got to keep working. Going to the body.
[ Speaks Russian ]
When he gets close, let his hands go.
[ Speaks Russian ]
He's hitting him, but he has to keep banging away.
Bernstein: John David Jackson there
talking through an interpreter to Allakhverdiev.
Allakhverdiev in the last round,
which ended up being a pretty good round for him,
unleashing that right hook.
Now, he's trying to work the body there,
and then trying for another right hook.
But Broner was able to land the straight right hand.
And that's a punch -- I mentioned that in the keys --
it's a punch that clearly is gonna be an important weapon
for him during the course of this fight.
Malignaggi: You see what he did. He landed a nice hook.
Instead of following with a combination,
he looked to load up the next shot -- one single shot.
You got Broner go defensive right off that nice hook.
Throw a combination from there.
Ranallo: We're into Round 4 of this scheduled 12-round bout
for a certain trinket at 140 pounds.
Malignaggi: Nice counter. Ranallo: Nice counter!
Another fast right hand by Broner.
Much to the delight of his partisan crowd
here in his hometown of Cincinnati.
Bernstein: You know, Allakhverdiev,
here's the important point.
He said he wanted to be busy.
But really at the end of the day,
he throws only a couple more punches normally
per round than Broner does.
He's the one that had to change
and be more aggressive in terms of his numbers.
So far in this fight, he's only thrown
a few more punches than Broner per round.
Ranallo: Trainer Jackson talking about that,
putting pressure on Broner
after studying, of course, the fights
that he fought against Maidana and Porter.
They both put pressure on A.B.
but then again, Maidana and Porter,
two of the best at 147 pounds.
And here Allakhverdiev against Broner at 140.
Malignaggi: I'll tell you,
if this fight continues at this pace,
Allakhverdiev's gonna lose every round.
He's gonna feel like he didn't even get into a fight.
At the end of the day, it's just not effective what he's doing.
Ranallo: Yeah, and I mean, I thought the third round
was a good round for him.
And he might have edged it.
But, yeah, in general --
Malignaggi: But was he only working the last 20 seconds.
He's got to be consistent.
Ranallo: Stinging counter right hand by Broner.
Malignaggi: Another thing.
If you're going to play this game with Broner,
you have to counter him then. Nice shot.
Ranallo: That one knocked the shoulder.
Broner utilizing, of course,
that Mayweather-esque shoulder roll.
A lot of people wish he wouldn't.
He'd go back to his speed and just use his power,
especially here at the lower weight.
Malignaggi: And here's another thing again.
You saw Allakhverdiev, when he adds a third shot
to the combination, Broner goes defensive.
It's about getting to the third and fourth punch
in the combination.
Ranallo: There was a cuffing left hook by Broner.
Malignaggi: Nice left hand by Allakhverdiev, as well.
Ranallo: Oh, another.
Just a piston-like right hand from Broner.
Bernstein: Broner has had six straight distance fights as he's --
those are the fights in which he's moved up in weight class.
Most of his power was at 130, 135.
Dock: Break. Break.
Bernstein: See if he has the ability to hurt Allakhverdiev.
Ranallo: Prior to that, he won six straight
and 16 of 17 by knockout at the lower weights.
Bernstein: Yep.
Ranallo: 15 seconds left in the fourth.
[ Board clacks ]
Another stinging right hand by Broner.
Allakhverdiev missing with those punches
as Broner slips and slides and rolls out of the way.
[ Applause ]
Let me tell you something, son.
Keep it in the bank with the right hand.
Lean, feint, feint, throw it.
You know what I'm saying? Give me that water.
He about to start turning up. Don't turn down.
Hey. Hey. Lean in. Speed is the story now.
What you got to do, keep straight right hand
and throw the upper cut, okay?
You know what I'm saying?
And shorten the hook up just a little bit.
Bernstein: Adrien Broner relies on his right hand.
That's a miss by Allakhverdiev
and the right uppercut coming from Broner.
It's a very good weapon for him, has always been.
And then, there's the other kind of right hand
that he lands often, which is the straight right.
And, of course, against the southpaw
who is attacking and not moving his head,
which Allakhverdiev has not been doing much in the fight.
That right hand will get there for Broner.
And it's about Allakhverdiev changing the dynamic.
Ranallo: We begin Round 5, scheduled for 12.
Broner in the colors of his hometown Cincinnati Bengals.
Undefeated, playing Kansas City tomorrow.
Khabib Allakhverdiev in the white.
Now going to the body.
Counter shots, though, from Broner.
That right hand continues to finds its target.
Bernstein: In most fights, Round 4 is where
Adrien Broner starts to pick up the pace.
And he did in the last round,
landing very effectively with a lot of punches,
landing 17 of the punches he threw.
Ranallo: Another quick right hand that finds its target.
Malignaggi: You can tell by his body language
he is getting more and more comfortable.
You know, he's looking like he's having fun in there.
Ranallo: Meets Allakhverdiev with the right hand.
And again, just rolling with these punches by Allakhverdiev.
Ineffective in his attack.
Malignaggi: He got to still just remain busy.
'Cause again, even if you miss,
what happens when you reach the third and fourth punch
against Broner, he goes defensive.
So, nothing's gonna come back at you.
Ranallo: Broner doing a good job of blocking
the majority of those shots.
But the left hand did sneak in for Allakhverdiev.
And now going upstairs.
Malignaggi: But again, if you don't return fire,
you can't win the round.
That's how you can kind of steal these rounds from Broner.
He doesn't return fire when you're throwing the combination.
Bernstein: It's just by being busy
Allakhverdiev was able to land those left hands.
Ranallo: Yet Broner when he does fire, lands.
Although he's being admonished
for bending the rules with the elbows.
Leaning down.
And then firing off a right uppercut.
Bernstein: Broner is allowing Allakhverdiev
to get him on the ropes more often now.
And that's not to Broner's benefit.
Ranallo: Although, he doesn't seem too bothered.
I know what you mean, Al. He hasn't paid the price yet.
Bernstein: A little bit.
But it gives Allakhverdiev at least a shot
at landing something.
Ranallo: Another counter right hand.
Potshotting Broner.
And there's another right cross.
Under a minute left in the fifth.
Malignaggi: You can see the difference in effectiveness.
When Allakhverdiev traps Broner and throws the combination,
he's more effective.
When Allakhverdiev traps Broner and throws a single shot
or doesn't throw at all, it's Broner who is effective.
Don't get me wrong.
Sometimes Broner can mesmerize you
with these different looks he gives you.
He gives you that rhythm.
You just got to not fall into that trap.
Easier said than done, obviously.
But again it's about having that mental concentration.
Ranallo: Jab, right uppercut by Broner.
Crowd enjoyed that sequence.
Allakhverdiev standing right in from of him,
feinting with the jab.
But there's another right hand lead by Broner.
Then he eats a short right from Allakhverdiev.
Now working the body. Final seconds of the fifth.
Dock: Break. Break. Break.
Ranallo: Good counter right and then a left from Adrien Broner.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Broner coming off a loss
to Shawn Porter at 147 pounds.
And Porter taking to Instagram
to wish his fellow Ohio native well.
The battle of Ohio that took place in Las Vegas.
And of course for Broner, that performance is ugly
as one of Herb Tarlek's suits, Al.
We had to have the requisite "WKRP in Cincinnati" reference!
Bernstein: A Herb Tarlek reference here in Cincinnati, yeah.
Where is Loni Anderson when we need her?
Ranallo: Now you're talking.
You come in, I want you to keep it in the center ring,
do your thing.
Let's go. Let's go, Champ.
'Bout to fuck him up in a minute.
You fucking him up all right.
Okay.
[ Bell dings ]
Ranallo: Round 6 underway.
We've been, of course, unable to pick up
what's going on in the corner of Khabib Allakhverdiev,
but, Paulie, as a guy who's faced Adrien Broner,
watching what's unfolding,
any advice you would give the Russian?
Malignaggi: He does some decent things in spots,
but he just doesn't do them consistently.
And part of that is because Broner is actually,
you know, a very good fighter.
But it the end of the day, like I said in the last round,
it's about having that mental concentration
and forcing a certain pace.
When you throw combinations,
you force Broner to go defensive.
Not only do you force him to go defensive,
you're also forcing a pace that makes Adrien uncomfortable.
But you have to have that decision-maker in your brain
to say, "okay, once I've done the hard work --
I've done the hard work, that's to trap him --
the easy work is now to move my hands."
Sometimes Allakhverdiev does the hard work.
He finally traps Broner, then he doesn't move his hands.
Ranallo: Broner almost seemingly putting himself in that corner.
There he eats a short left,
but again trying to do an imitation
of the recently retired Floyd Mayweather,
and a lot of pundits and fans saying
he was the self-proclaimed heir to Floyd Mayweather.
He has to focus on just being himself.
Dock: Don't push off with that elbow.
Bernstein: Allakhverdiev is smothering his own punches
in a lot of cases.
Now, the right hook lands again there.
If he's going to be effective in this fight,
I think he's gonna have to double up
with the right hook a lot.
There it is to the body,
should have came with it to the head.
He's capable of that.
[ Indistinct shouting ]
Ranallo: 1:30 left in the sixth.
Jab through the guard by the southpaw.
Allakhverdiev goes to the body with the right,
but Broner busy countering up top.
Now Broner picking up the pace in terms of output.
They're both exchanging here.
Bernstein: This is creating a fun round.
Because he's forcing Broner to fight.
Broner is fighting, and they're both landing some good punches.
Malignaggi: Nice body shot by Broner.
Ranallo: Yep, and then tags him upstairs with a left hand.
A minute left. Some sustained action.
Nice right hand. Another right with Broner.
Malignaggi: That's the thing -- if you stay in range of Broner,
you get off or step back out of range.
Do not stand in front of Broner and not get off
because he'll start to potshot you.
Bernstein: And Broner now has the action in the center of the ring,
where he would like it.
Ranallo: And Allakhverdiev, wearing the vestiges
of this battle thus far.
Face beginning to swell up.
He is content to sit in front of Adrien Broner.
Bernstein: And the Allakhverdiev jab, which I put in the keys,
has not been a punch he has used a lot in the fight.
Ranallo: And Allakhverdiev has never been down.
Nicknamed The Hawk.
Fans in Cincinnati know all about The Hawk.
Aaron Pryor considered one of the very best
in this weight class.
Bernstein: He was a great, great champion.
Ranallo: There's a right hand from Broner.
[ Board clacks ]
Bernstein: This round has been fun to watch.
Ranallo: Yep, an action-packed Round 6.
The fans in Cincy enjoying every second of it.
Good stuff!
[ Bell dings ]
[ Cheers and applause ]
And a peek at Adrien Broner's family.
Enjoying that last three minutes.
The crowd even on their feet after those fistic fireworks.
When you punch, you can't wait. Move your hands.
[ Speaking Russian ]
Dock: Coach, we okay over here?
We're good. We're good.
Bernstein: You know, it was certainly the most
entertaining round of the fight, in Round 6.
There would be a firefight breaking out.
And both men landing -- throwing and landing big shots.
The uppercut, a huge weapon for Broner.
But Allakhverdiev landing his share of shots
as well on the inside.
Some of those were arm punches by Allakhverdiev,
but he did land them.
Then later on, Broner coming forward
landing the big straight right hand,
landing some very nice shots.
[ Bell dings ]
Ranallo: The action heating up as we head into the second half
of this scheduled 12-round battle at 140 pounds.
Adrien "The Problem" Broner against Khabib Allakhverdiev.
Mauro Ranallo, Al Bernstein, Paulie Malignaggi at ringside
joined by Brian Custer, Jim Gray,
and our entire Showtime sports crew.
Bernstein: Against Jessie Vargas in that fight that he lost --
a very close decision --
Allakhverdiev was able to get the straight left hand in.
Has not been able to land that punch
much at all tonight against Adrien Broner.
[ Indistinct shouting ]
Ranallo: And now it's Broner that has Allakhverdiev
along the ropes before he pivots away and eats that left hook.
Malignaggi: Broner getting busier with the jab.
Also, something to note in the last round,
he landed some pretty good body shots.
That may have slowed down Allakhverdiev.
Bernstein: That's a good point.
First time he really went to the body.
Ranallo: At the midpoint of the fight,
let's bring in our unofficial scorer, Steve Farhood.
Farhood: Mo, five rounds to one for Broner.
The right uppercut is clearly the best punch in the fight.
I have him controlling the bout.
Malignaggi: Also the mental aspect of the fight.
It's not Broner walking down Allakhverdiev.
Allakhverdiev's not a guy that's gonna sit on the outside
and out-box Broner.
Mentally, from a psychological standpoint,
Allakhverdiev right now, is not in a good position.
Ranallo: And Broner on the attack, measuring,
picking off Allakhverdiev.
Not respecting his power,
dropping his hand, of course, with that shoulder roll.
Midway point of Round 7.
Again, Broner winning three championships
in three different weight classes at the age 23.
Now at 26.
Vying for a fourth title in a fourth weight class,
whatever that is worth.
Bernstein: Part of the reason the right hook for Allakhverdiev
has been a decent punch, he's a natural right-hander.
But the switch to lefty by his trainer for three years
made him be a left-hander, but we haven't seen that hook.
I think that hook's an important punch for him.
And if he's gonna have any chance
of climbing back into this fight,
he needs to double up with that punch.
Malignaggi: Also has to throw combinations.
He can't throw these single shots.
It's a nice shot, and the hook is important.
And then you just saw it there, Al.
Bernstein: But he should be doubling into the body and head.
Ranallo: Right hooks to the body by Allakhverdiev.
But Broner busier with the jab.
Malignaggi: Also use the left hand.
Use the left hand to set up the hook.
Bernstein: Absolutely. Yes. Precisely.
Malignaggi: Be creative in the way you set up your hook
and set your traps for it.
Bernstein: There was a short left hand a moment ago.
Ranallo: The jab, Broner's most effective weapon in Round 7.
Allakhverdiev going to the body.
We're through seven rounds in Cincinnati.
[ Bell dings ] Dock: Time!
[ Cheers and applause ]
Hey, I told you he ain't nothing but a one-handed fighter.
Don't let him hit you
with that fucking slow-ass left hand.
You know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying?
Hey. Where the bucket at?!
Man: Here. Right here.
All right. Spit out. Spit out. Spit out.
Relax. Relax. Just relax. Just relax.
Let your hands go. You understand?
I can't let you take more punishment like that.
You got to fight for me.
Let your hands go when you get inside.
[ Speaking Russian ]
Get that for me.
[ Indistinct talking ]
Okay?
I need you to fight this round.
All right?
You got to give me something.
[ Bell dings ]
Ranallo: The bell in round number 8.
In talking to Broner's trainer, Mike Stafford,
he said it was no big deal for Broner to fight a Southpaw.
We mentioned he faced Southpaws in the past,
and he told us that Broner can switch it up, too.
When he first came to his gym, Broner fought left handed
until he turned him to an orthodox fighter.
He said a lot of kids start like that,
and Adrien is able to do it both ways.
Bernstein: One of the things Allakhverdiev has not done
in the fight is move his head very well coming in.
And that's part of the reason --
Malignaggi: Oh, that's a nice counter.
Ranallo: And you've had those punches landing.
Malignaggi: That's a nice counter.
But he's been landing it throughout the fight.
Ranallo: That's part of the reason --
this is for my main man in the truck --
that's part of the reason that Allakhverdiev
looks like his face was made up like a ransom note there, guys.
It's not looking very nice here.
2:15 left in Round 8.
And Broner picking up the pace.
Obviously, beginning to exhibit the confidence.
Now beginning to show signs of the Adrien Broner
we've seen in the past.
Wanting to put on a show here for the crowd in Cincinnati.
Bernstein: Allakhverdiev, it would appear, lacks the power
when he lands a big power punch to hurt Broner.
And gonna be that's essential
because he's not doing the volume punching
he's supposed to and hurting him
would allow him to get that done,
but he's not able to do it.
Ranallo: Just picking him off with the jab. Sorry, Paulie.
Malignaggi: He has more problems than lacking power.
He's also just not good enough.
Bernstein: Well, absolutely.
But the power would be an equalizer
if he could land something.
Ranallo: Adrien Broner with 22 of his 30 wins
via form of knockout.
Looking perhaps to want to try to close the show
here in front of his fans in Cincinnati.
But Allakhverdiev, again, has never been knocked down.
A tough fighter from Dagestan.
-And now he's -- -Broner: What up, Paulie?
Ranallo: Now Broner is talking to Paulie Malignaggi
here at ringside.
Broner: What's up, Paul?
Ranallo: Okay.
Bernstein: He's got to focus in the ring.
Ranallo: Yes, he does.
Malignaggi: He's having fun, though.
This is how he gets in rhythm.
It turns a lot of people off.
But when Adrien is in this rhythm,
he's actually pretty effective.
He's having fun, and he's actually being creative.
Ranallo: He asked you what's up. Did you answer?
Malignaggi: Even despite the distraction.
That he's talking --
Ranallo: Allakhverdiev coming back with a couple left hands.
Slipping those shots.
[ Crowd chanting "U.S.A." ]
Oh, here's the jingoistic chant of "U.S.A."
I thought it was disrespectful, Al.
We saw a lot of people not even stand
for the Russian national anthem, which, come on.
15 seconds left in the eighth.
There's a left hook countered by Allakhverdiev
after eating the left hook from Broner.
Broner definitely in his comfort zone here
at U.S. Bank Arena,
but Allakhverdiev still on the attack.
And yet, Broner asking other people at ringside what's up?
[ Speaking Russian ]
Khabib.
How you feel?
Good.
You got to give me something this round, okay?
[ Speaking Russian ]
Hey, listen.
If he don't do -- it's the last round if he don't do better.
Come back. 'Cause I can't find glass. Tell him.
This is the last one, all right?
Hey, listen, if you can't do better, I got to stop this.
All right?
One more. I'll get one more.
I'll give it one more.
Several more!
-You good? -Yeah, yeah!
You got to fight for me, okay?
Got to move your head, Khabib.
Ranallo: The words from John David Jackson,
the trainer, you got to give me something in this round
or I'm stopping the fight.
Bernstein: That may have also been a motivational tool
whether he thinks he wants to or not
to try and get Allakhverdiev to try at least
to do something dramatic in this round.
Malignaggi: Or even something different, Al.
He's been trying the same thing every round.
Bernstein: Different would be good.
Malignaggi: Broner is getting the timing of everything he's tried.
Ranallo: But having said that, if your trainer is telling you
you got to give me something this round,
should he not be telling him
what he wants from him in this round?
Malignaggi: Well, he's been telling him to move his hands.
Ranallo: Like right there, at that point.
Bernstein: He's been telling him to move his head
and throw combinations and do some of the things
that I'm sure they worked on in the gym.
They haven't been able to do it.
Malignaggi: I heard, a couple rounds ago, John David Jackson tell him
he has to move his hands, he's got to throw punches.
It's a matter of you're doing the work.
You're getting Broner against the ropes
several times each round,
and then you're not moving your hands.
Ranallo: And that's why I guess he said, "you're not listening."
He's saying if it's not working,
you're not doing what I'm telling you,
he is getting marked up.
You never know. He's coming back now.
Bernstein: I'm sticking to my story.
There was a right hook by Allakhverdiev,
I'm not saying it's the silver bullet,
but when he throws it, it lands.
Ranallo: Here he is.
But a lot of those shots blocked.
Malignaggi: But again the problem is, he thinks he's Mike Tyson.
He's loading up one on a time.
He has to use the right hook
in the midst of combination punching.
Bernstein: I agree, but that punch needs to be a double hook
or something that will get in there and be able to land.
Malignaggi: Yeah, when you load one up,
you're not able to throw the combination
because you put everything into the one shot.
Bernstein: Absolutely, but when he doesn't
throw it at all, he doesn't land anything.
Ranallo: But he obviously has heeded the advice of his trainer,
because a much better round for Allakhverdiev.
Bernstein: He is fighting better in this round.
And Broner is allowing him
to push him against the ropes a little bit more,
not staying in the center of the ring.
Adrien Broner has been very efficient in this fight
with his right hand especially.
We talked about it at the beginning.
Ranallo: Dropping left hand from Broner
as Allakhverdiev chases him.
Under a minute now remaining in Round 9.
[ Indistinct shouting ]
Bernstein: It's very possible Allakhverdiev is winning this round.
In fact, it might be likely at this point.
Malignaggi: Yeah, on the fact that Adrien hasn't done a lot.
If Adrien really knew how close he was to stopping him,
he probably would have gotten busier this round.
He's almost taken the round off.
Bernstein: You're right.
If he could hear our feed he would know that.
Ranallo: Oh! Wow!
Jacking the jaw with that right uppercut.
Credit Allakhverdiev for continuing to walk forward.
Bernstein: Well, there's an indication that, you know,
when he gets up around 140, 147,
Adrien Broner's single punch power
is not what it is at 135 or 130.
Ranallo: He just jolted him with that shot.
Malignaggi: I would have liked Adrien to follow up
on that one right there.
He landed such a nice shot.
Ranallo: Maybe a left hook.
Malignaggi: Not even right off the bat.
I mean, even while he took the walk,
stop and throw the next follow-up combination.
Ranallo: Like Steve Farhood said,
that right uppercut has been his bread and butter
when it comes to his power shots.
Allakhverdiev working the body,
and we're headed to Round 10.
Broner: Paulie, Paulie!
Hey, Paulie.
I'm in shape. I'm in shape.
Ranallo: And he's telling our Paulie Malignaggi
that he is in shape.
Dock: You okay?
Man: Yes. He is.
Water?
Khabib, that was a good round.
He's getting tired.
If you can keep doing that, good.
Stay on that body like you're doing, okay?
Stay on the body.
Don't go for the head so much.
Bernstein: John David Jackson saying that was a good round.
And he has no compunction
about sending his fighter back out,
nor should he based on that round.
Ranallo: I like that.
Bernstein: That was a monstrous punch by Broner,
but a lot of the round looked more like this --
well, there's the uppercut again --
but a lot of the round had Allakhverdiev
landing some very good punches when Broner was on the ropes.
Ranallo: Showers earlier today in Cincinnati,
and there was a sweat shower
after that jolting uppercut by Broner,
as we being round number 10.
Bernstein: And the last round was the lowest
in terms of connects and number of punches thrown
by Adrien Broner in the fight,
so he did kind of take a round off,
but he did make the point to Paulie that he's in shape.
So he thinks he can continue on.
Ranallo: Broner grew up in the sport of boxing.
Went to the gym for the first time at age six,
had over 300 amateur fights.
Got into trouble with the law,
and that almost derailed his career and his life.
But put that behind him, turned professional,
and now looking for his fourth title
at four different weight classes.
Malignaggi: You still get the feeling Adrien could
get the stoppage in the fight if he picked up the pace.
He came over here at the end of the last round,
let me know he's in shape, and obviously
Adrien's always in shape for his fights,
but it's a matter of making that cognizant decision
to go for the kill right here.
Bernstein: I wouldn't go that far.
He has had fatigue issues.
Ranallo: He last scored a knockout against Gavin Rees
back in 2013 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
As we bring in our unofficial scorer, Steve Farhood.
Farhood: It's pretty much the same story.
That last round, Broner basically gave it away.
You have to ask can he lose any rounds
if he doesn't give them away?
Can Allakhverdiev beat him
without Broner turning down the volume?
It's been Broner. He has the big edge.
Ranallo: Midpoint -- Round 10.
[ Indistinct shouting ]
A minute remaining in the 10th.
Bernstein: And again, Adrien Broner in this round
has slowed the pace a little bit again,
not going after Allakhverdiev.
Ranallo: Winding up with the right uppercut,
lands the jab.
Broner picking up the pace.
The crowd building to a crescendo,
sensing something.
But, there, Allakhverdiev showing what he's made of,
coming back off the ropes.
Bernstein: That sequence was fascinating.
And Paulie has made this point many times,
and we have many times in Broner fights.
He's either on offense or defense.
Even though he had a big edge there,
once Allakhverdiev pushed him back,
he did not punch.
Malignaggi: And the thing about Allakhverdiev's attack
wasn't even to do any damage.
It was strictly a "get off of me" combination.
Bernstein: Yeah, that's interesting.
Ranallo: So, here in Cincinnati,
we are headed to the championship rounds.
Right hand lands for Broner.
Malignaggi: Nice finish by Broner.
And Allakhverdiev's face getting more and more damaged.
They got to look at him in his corner.
Dr. Reynolds: Do you know where you at? What's the date?
He can't speak English that well.
Can anyone translate?
He translates. October, 3.
Okay. Look at me.
Is that a little bleeding?
Just a little bit right here. I got this.
It's not even anything.
Khabib. You got to get close.
Ranallo: That's Dr. Burton Reynolds inspecting the cuts.
Let your hands go.
What round is it? What round?
Dock: Seconds out.
Come on.
[ Bell dings ]
Ranallo: So, here at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati,
we enter the championship rounds.
There's been no knockdowns.
But if you look at Khabib Allakhverdiev's face,
you get a very visible indication
of how this fight has transpired.
It's been all Adrien "The Problem" Broner.
[ Indistinct shouting ]
They exchange here with Broner again getting the best of it.
Guys, heading into this fight,
many questions surrounding the career
of Adrien "The Problem" Broner.
He instituted a media moratorium.
He said he was all about business, all about boxing.
Paulie, what do you think in the championship rounds
of his performance back at 140?
Malignaggi: He's been all business.
It's been a workman-like performance, sharp performance.
I give Allakhverdiev credit.
He's shown a lot heart remaining in the fight.
Broner has been effective in his style.
Dock: Just cut it. Just cut it.
Bernstein: As they do this repair to the glove.
The point is that Allakhverdiev,
as Paulie made the point earlier,
in terms of skill set and what he brings to the table,
not enough against Broner.
We didn't know that exactly coming in.
But part of that is aided by the fact
that Broner has been very efficient in this fight
and came in very prepared for this fight.
Dock: We good. We good. Time in!
Bernstein: It doesn't mean he's gonna beat every 140-pounder out there.
But what it means is
that Adrien Broner got back to business
and gave us a very efficient performance here this evening.
Ranallo: One minute gone in the 11th.
You can't question the heart of Allakhverdiev,
but 28 days away from Halloween,
and his face a scary sight now as Broner continues to tee away.
But Allakhverdiev going downstairs to the body.
Bernstein: Now, here, the head movement's really good from Allakhverdiev.
That's the thing we were looking for him do a lot in this fight.
[ Indistinct shouting ]
Ranallo: And Broner just winding up, teeing off,
lands the right through the guard.
Bernstein: I think a left hook there really hurt Allakhverdiev.
Ranallo: Right hand to the body.
And Allakhverdiev now, left hand,
and Broner on the verge of perhaps stopping Allakhverdiev.
And yet Allakhverdiev standing tall,
refusing to go down,
has never been down in his professional career.
A minute left in the 11th.
Malignaggi: A lot of heart by Allakhverdiev.
Very good show.
At this point he has not a lot left except that heart.
Ranallo: Coming off the career long layoff,
coming off a controversial loss,
the lone setback of his career in 20 professional fights.
Allakhverdiev has been marked up here tonight by Adrien Broner.
In Broner's return to 140 pounds.
Bernstein: Nice right hand a moment ago by Allakhverdiev.
He -- now especially at this point in the fight, being tired,
throwing more arm punches,
he's probably not gonna hurt Broner
even with the big shots he lands.
Ranallo: Allakhverdiev actually a natural right-hander
for the first three years.
His trainer taught him to fight as a southpaw.
And now with 10 seconds left in the 11th,
it remains all Adrien "The Problem" Broner
with three minutes remaining in this fight.
Good right hand by Allakhverdiev.
[ Bell rings ] A nice ending to the round.
[ Cheers and applause ]
I got him, doc.
What round is it, 12?
Dock: This is it.
It's the last round, doc. I got this.
Last round, Khabib.
It's the last round, but if you get in trouble like that again,
I might have to pull the plug on you.
Are you okay right now?
Yes.
Keep those hands up. Move that head, fire your shots.
All right? Don't get too relaxed.
Last round. Last round.
If he takes one more...
Yeah, absolutely. Okay.
Dock: Seconds out! Seconds out!
Ranallo: Caught the last exchange
between the doctor and the referee.
Doctor telling the referee, takes one more power shot,
stop the fight.
And here it is, the 12th and final round.
He's exhibited courage and heart,
but safety is paramount.
And Allakhverdiev has been marked up.
They're giving him the respect he deserves.
Allowing him to come out for the 12th and final round.
But he needs to show the referee and his corner something.
Bernstein: We had a couple good moments
towards the end of that last round,
but he took big power punches through most of the round.
Mentioned that Allakhverdiev is 1-1 in 12-round fights.
Broner is 3-2.
Right now, just staying upright is what it will take
probably for Adrien Broner to win this fight.
Malignaggi: You have to start to wonder at 140 pounds,
as talented as the weight class is,
there's some really good fights for Adrien Broner.
He might be favored in all of them.
Maybe not all of them, but a good part of them.
Or at least they all would be fights
that people would want to see him in.
Ranallo: How about Jose Benavidez
who feels he should be the rightful champion
under this alphabet organization.
Of course, you look at Terence Crawford,
Victor Postol picked up a big win tonight.
Cesar Rene Cuenca, how's this?
The guy who is a champion at IBF --
He's 48-0 with two knockouts.
Malignaggi: Heard he's a pretty good boxer.
I haven't seen him.
Allakhverdiev tries to work the body.
In all honesty, the super lightweight division
has really regained some luster with some pretty big names
I think Broner against any of them
would be a solid matchup and a good fight.
Bernstein: Yeah, it probably would be.
I don't know that he's proven
that he's gonna beat all of them,
but he certainly has proven that at 140
he can be a very, very effective fighter.
Malignaggi: I was just gonna say that, Al.
I think he's proven that he probably belongs
in this weight class more than he belongs
in the welterweight division. Bernstein: Oh, much more, yeah.
Ranallo: Final minute of the fight.
Adrien Broner trying to close the show
in front of his hometown crowd.
Good body shot, indeed, in the right hand.
Left hook. Right uppercut.
Broner! And that's enough!
The referee, Harvey Dock Jr., stops the fight.
Adrien Broner, much to the delight of this partisan crowd,
records the win...
and picks up his fourth title in a fourth weight class
at the age of 26.
Regardless of what you might think about that,
he becomes the second youngest to do so,
trailing only Oscar de La Hoya,
as he embraces his father.
And referee not allowing Allakhverdiev
to finish the fight.
Allakhverdiev tastes defeat for the second time in his career.
And Broner improves to 31-2, with one no contest,
and stoppage victory number 23.
Bernstein: We'll look inside the ropes in this fight
and take a look back at how this victory
was fashioned by Adrien Broner, and what he was able to do
to be so dominant in this match.
We talked about the right hand in the beginning
as one of the most important keys to victory.
And it was really the cornerstone of this win.
It was repeated in many forms as a straight right,
as an uppercut, and it was his punch of choice.
And here's the uppercut.
We talked about that punch a lot.
And it was able to land effectively.
Sometimes it was a counter,
sometimes he would throw it lead right hand,
and even the left uppercut would get inside.
For the most part, Broner,
who was known as a right-handed puncher,
was able to do it very effectively,
and in front of the hometown crowd,
bask in the glory.
Malignaggi: I have one thing I have to say.
I don't think anybody is gonna complain about the stoppage,
but Allakhverdiev was complaining about the stoppage.
I think after all the work he did,
to take the punishment he took,
he at least deserved to try to see the final bell.
But a gilt-edge performance by Adrien Broner tonight.
I mean, literally, he did a lot of good things well.
And not a lot to criticize.
Bernstein: No. Malignaggi: If anything at all.
Bernstein: No, and part of it --
you can make the case, and some people will say,
Allakhverdiev is a "B" level fighter.
Which he probably is, but you know what?
He beat a "B" level fighter, did it well.
Malignaggi: He was undefeated.
He's been in the ring with good fighters.
And nobody did Allakhverdiev
like Broner did him tonight.
Ranallo: And Broner's celebrating
with his mother, Dorothy, and his father.
We will get the official announcement now
from Jimmy Lennon Jr.
[ Bell dings ]
Lennon: Ladies and gentlemen, we have the time of 2:23
in round number 12.
Our referee in charge stops the contest.
He is the winner by way of technical knockout.
He is now a four weight division world champion,
and the new WBA super lightweight
champion of the world,
Adrien "The Problem" Broner.
[ Cheers and applause ]
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
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