Thursday 1 October 2015 11:45, UK
Controversial former world champion Adrien Broner says he is a new man ahead of Saturday's comeback bout with Khabib Allakhverdiev.
The 26-year-old American (32-2-0-KO22) has attracted widespread criticism for his brash talk outside the ring and recent failure to back up his words in it - he has lost points decisions to top welterweights Marcos Maidana and Shawn Porter in the last two years.
Now back down at light-welterweight and taking on Allakhverdiev (19-1-0-KO9) for the vacant WBA world title, Broner has admitted he made mistakes in the past and is determined to prove himself.
Having refused other media interviews and stayed silent during press conferences in the lead-up to the bout, Broner told Showtime: "I'm on a mission and I won't talk to nobody until my mission is complete.
"When you get so far in doing things your way, sometimes you don't see what you've got to change until something happens - like a loss. It's time to stop and take your career serious.
The lights, the horse-playing, of course I'll always be me. Hate it or love it, I'll always be AB but where I am in the game right now, I'm still a student.
"The lights, the horse-playing, of course I'll always be me. Hate it or love it, I'll always be AB but where I am in the game right now, I'm still a student. I've accomplished a lot at a young age but I have so much more to do.
"I was too accessible and too easy to reach. I've got a big heart so I always wanted to make everybody feel good and feel happy but I've come to realise that my wife and kids are all that matter. I have to do what I have to do for me and my family.
"I felt like I was selling myself short. I wasn't getting top dollar from the performances that I've been putting on. You have to learn from your mistakes. When you know why you're losing then you can fix it.
"This next half of my career, I'm going to be the AB that's about business and about boxing. Winning this fourth world title in my fourth weight class is very important. It's making history at the age of 26. It's a big move for me and I'm going for it.
"The path I'm on - anybody in my way right now is in big trouble. Just come watch me on October 3 and tell me what you think about the new Adrien Broner."
