Ex-boxing champ Adrien Broner exits upcoming fight, citing mental health reasons

Former boxing champion Adrian Broner announced Monday he withdrew from an upcoming fight against Oscar Figueroa, citing mental health concerns.

The four-time world champion revealed his decision on social media. The fight was set to take place in Hollywood, Florida, and was set to air on Showtime.

“Sorry to all my fans but #MentalHealth is real and I’m not about to play inside the ring I’ve watched a lot of people die playing with they boxing career and that is something I won’t do just pray for me I love the sport of boxing to much to not give my all and I feel Like I came up short before because my mind wasn’t 100% there and I be dam if I make that mistake again 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,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

“I’m a 4 time world champion in 4 different weight classes and if I never lace up a pair of gloves again I feel like it’s safe to say I will be inducted into the #BoxingHallOfFame So I have to step back and overcome this obstacle before I go put my life on the line inside the square circle again I know I’m far from being finished with the sport SEE YALL SOON.”

The Cincinnati native is 34-4-1 in his boxing career with 24 knockouts.

He last fought Jovanie Santiago in February 2021 via unanimous decision. Before that, he lost to Manny Pacquiao via unanimous decision in January 2019.

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At the height of his career, Broner held the WBO super featherweight championship, the WBC lightweight championship, the WBA welterweight championship and the WBA light welterweight championship.

Broner has had his troubles outside of the ring.

In 2019, he had a restraining order issued against him after making homophobic threats on social media. He was later ordered to pay $830,000 in damages for sexually assaulting a woman in a Cleveland nightclub.

Last year, Broner was jailed for a parole violation when he failed to enroll in a court-mandated alcohol treatment program.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.