"I just want everybody to know that I'm not just a champion; I'm a people's champion. I don't want people to think that I'm a cocky, arrogant guy. I'm just a humble guy who came from nothing and understands what I got on my plate, and I'm not going to let it go to waste...I'm not an ordinary guy. I can't do things that the ordinary people do, so I gotta do something different...If they don't know, they will know, so we gonna let the fighting do the talking, but I'ma talk my ass off anyway. Band Camp all the way," stated WBO featherweight champion Adrien "The Problem" Broner, who gave us an update from training camp as he prepares for his upcoming July 21 title defense against Vicente Escobedo. Check it out!
BT: What's up, Problem? How's training camp going?
AB: I'm arlight, man. Training camp's going well; I'm just ready to fight.
BT: You still got a little bit of time left; you ain't getting amped up yet, are you?
AB: Hey man, you know I don't ever get amped, man. This is what I do. Amped up for what? I've been doing this for a long time, man. You know, this is about a long stroke; we ain't short-jabbin'.
BT: (Laughing) That's wassup. You're out in Colorado, right?
AB: Yep.
BT: Have your training camps always been out there or did you just start doing that recently?
AB: Every training camp has been in Colorodo, man. I always come out here to train.
BT: Do you train out there for the physical conditioning benefits that you get from being in the mountains or is it just to avoid distractions at home?
AB: That, but the altitude, you know, the environment is just different out here. They love me out here, you know, we have no problems; I clear my mind out here.
BT: Cool, cool. So I know you already knew what was going to be shown in the "2 Days" special Saturday night, but did you watch it?
AB: Yeah, I watched. I can't lie about that.
BT: What did you think?
AB: I liked it. You know, of course, it's me. I love seeing myself doing something positive. It was great; it was cool.
BT: Obviously the purpose of the show is to give people a better understanding of who you are. What is it that you're hoping fans learned about you after watching that?
AB: Well, for one, I'm not just some hood kid who's just trying to be something that I'm not. I'm living my dream and I'm being myself. And, you know, I'm not a dumb kid. I speak fluently, I'm very well-educated, and I just want everybody to know that I'm not just a champion; I'm a people's champion. I don't want people to think that I'm a cocky, arrogant guy. I'm just a humble guy who came from nothing and understands what I got on my plate, and I'm not going to let it go to waste. I'm just enjoying my life.
BT: No doubt. For me, I think the most important thing that stood out is that, unlike some fighters, you recognize the fact that there is an entertainment aspect to this sport , and sometimes, you have to let your guard down and put yourself out there in order for fans to gravitate towards you.
AB: Exactly! I mean, no disrespect to the extra humble guys; I call them nice guys in suits, because in front of the camera, they got the smile on, they're talking good, you know, they're using the correct language, they're using the big words, they're saying the things they wouldn't say off camera. I mean, if they were off camera, they'll be talking in a different way, "What's up, nigga," this and that, and then they get on camera and then it's, "How are you doing?" They just put the proper talk on. No, that's not me. That's just not me. I'm going to be me on any given Sunday, just like today, you called me and I'm gonna be me. I'm gonna be the same. I'm me. If I feel like swearing in a sentence, I'm going to swear in a sentence, you know? If I want to say "Fuck", I'm going to say, "Fuck!" I mean, that's just how I feel. I'm being me, and if you don't like it, then everybody is entitled to their opinion and everyone can't be a fan. With that being said, some people gonna love me and a lot of people gonna hate me, but at the same time, I'ma always give love to the ones who love me and I'ma give love back to the ones who hate me too. So, you know, I'ma just keep doing me.
BT: As long as they keep watching (laughing). So tell me what you got up your sleeve for July 21st. I know you're not just walking out to the ring without having something special planned.
AB: Oh, listen man, you know I'm not an ordinary guy. I can't do things that the ordinary people do, so I gotta do something different. Like I said, they always said I was different when I was coming up. I don't know if they were calling me retarded or was they just saying I was a special kid? I don't know (laughing), so you know me, I'ma do me, man. It's going to be something real spectacular, man; fresh, fly, and flashy, man. It's Adrien "The Problem" Broner, this is what I do. I live for this. I was born for this, man. I promise to God, right hand on the Bible right now, if you go to my first grade teacher, they'll tell you the same thing. I was a show out, I was a class clown, and I loved to entertain. I'm just saying, I'm just being me. I've got something planned real good; they're going to love it. The walkout entrance is going to be nice.
BT: Well I just wanted to touch base for a quick update from camp. I'll get more from you about your July 21 plans for Escobedo as the fight gets closer.
AB: If they don't know, they will know, so we gonna let the fighting do the talking, but I'ma talk my ass off anyway. Band Camp all the way. Band Camp in the building. Adrien "The Problem" Broner in the building. It is what it is.
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