Adrien “The Problem” Broner vs Blair “The Flair” Cobbs open workout quotes
Photo Credit “Don King Productions”
Ahead of Don King’s monumental “Fists of Fury” event taking place at the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., on Friday, June 7, Adrien “The Problem” Broner (35-4-1, 24 KOs) and Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (16-1-1, 10 KOs) participated in a media open workout in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 28.
Broner and Cobbs’ WBC People’s Championship bout at welterweight marks the four-weight world champion’s journey back to a world title opportunity, while Cobbs returns to the ring for the first time in nearly two years.
Here’s what the competitors in the highly anticipated featured bout had to say:
Adrien Broner: “The way this boxing stuff goes, you never know what’s going to happen. They’re just giving out world titles. They’re going to give one of these YouTubers a title. I tip my hat to Errol Spence and Terrence Crawford; they’re doing their thing.
“Like I said before, my main focus is to become a world champion. All my life, I just wanted to be a world champion, and every time I won one, I cried tears. I’m pretty sure I’ll do the same thing when I win one again.
“With me being on this side of my career and the way boxing is going right now, I thought, ‘Why not sign with Don King?’ Who wouldn’t want someone like Don King to promote them? It’s just greatness, and to have him a part of my story is just amazing. To be a world champion and to be under Don King will be amazing.
“Terrence Crawford is the No.1 fighter in the world right now for me. But if we’re talking who the main guy is in boxing? It’s Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Going to a “Tank” fight is not just going to a fight. It’s an event, and the whole world comes to see him. A lot of people want to see him lose, and a lot of people want to see him win.
“My advice to the youngsters is to do what’s best for you. Make the decision that’s best for you because at the end of the day when your career is done and over with, they will be looking for the next up-and-coming boxer.”
Kenny Ellis, Broner’s Trainer: “Things are going really well. He’s [Broner] so focused. Ever since he surrendered to us it’s been incredible. He’s shows up every day on time, he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, and it’s going to show on June 7.
“Cobbs is tough for the first half of the fight – kind of wild and some hard shots. But we’re better skilled and have been in there with tougher guys. It shouldn’t be a problem.
“It was an honour to share the same stage as Don King. Broner and Don together have just been something else.”
Blair Cobbs: “I can’t wait to have my hand raised on June 7. I’ve been patiently waiting for this moment for years, so there is no one who is more prepared than I am.
“AB [Adrien Broner] is my toughest opponent. But, at the end of the day, I don’t know who is going to show up or what’s going to happen because I’ve never been this prepared for a fight. I’m very thankful for the team I have and my trainer Justin Gamber.
“When he’s [Broner] been in there with someone who’s a little bit better, things get a little bit strange. He has to adapt because there is someone in his midst that has a bigger and stronger personality and energy.
“Honestly, I’m just having a good time – I’m having a ball. I don’t think anything’s gotten too personal, and it’s kind of hard to get too personal. I’m a clown, he’s a clown, and that’s how we get down.”
Justin Gamber, Cobbs’ trainer: “We are more than ready for this. This is our first fight together, but we’ve been working hard since February, day in and day out, and we’ve put in a lot of work for this camp.
“The ring rust is there for me too. I took a break for a while after Caleb [Plant], and so this is my first fight back since 2021. It’s been a learning process for us, but we’re on the same page and look forward to getting into fight week now.
“We haven’t thought about the future. Adrien Broner is a tough test and a four-time world champion, and for good reason. He’s a good fighter. I’m not getting caught up in that talk about he’s old or not in shape. I’m staying focused on him because, in order to get where we want to be after this fight, we have to focus on him first.”
“Fists of Fury”
On Friday, June 7th at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL, a highly anticipated clash between one of the sport’s most decorated fighters, former four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (35-4-1, 24 KOs) takes on Las Vegas’ Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (16-1-1, 10 KOs).
The popular and exciting WBA Continental USA Middleweight Champion, Paterson, NJ’s Ian “The Young General” Green (18-2 with 12 KOs) will be defending his title against Toledo’s Roy Barringer (10-4, 6 KOs).
The WBC International Lightweight Championship will be up for grabs as champion Antonio Perez (9-0, 5 KOs) of Harrisburg, PA, will challenge local favourite Antonio Williams (16-0-1, 7 KOs) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, while WBA Continental North American Heavyweight Champion Cassius Chaney (23-1, 16 KOs) collides with Las Vegas’ Michael “The Bounty” Hunter (21-1-2, 15 KOs).
Recently added to the card is a cruiserweight attraction featuring Sarasota, FL’s Johnnie Langston (11-3, 4 KOs) squaring off against Mike Perez (29-3-1, 20 KOs) of Ciego de Avila, Cuba.
In addition, Newburgh, NY’s Tre’Sean Wiggins (16-5-3, 9 KOs) will collide against Chicago’s own Semajay Thomas (11-1, 8 KOs) in a welterweight attraction.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster for “Fist of Fury.” Tickets are priced at $75, $100 and $200. Ringside seats are $500 and tables are priced at $5,500. For more information and updates, visit www.donking.com.