Ashley Theophane aiming to shock Adrien Broner 'for Floyd Mayweather'
Tuesday 29 March 2016 18:09, UK
Ashley Theophane is out to silence Adrien Broner and take away his world title "for Floyd Mayweather".
The super-lightweight challenger from London takes on 'The Problem' for his WBA strap at the DC Armoury in Washington on Friday night.
Theophane admits he stays out of the current bad blood between Broner and Mayweather but the Briton is planning to give 'Money' - his promoter and ex-sparring partner - a moral victory over his former friend.
"I am just focused on putting on a great performance," Premier Boxing Champions' Theophane told Sky Sports.
"I am going to do it for me because I believe in me and I am going to do it for Floyd because he believes in me too.
"I don't mind having people like Floyd Mayweather behind me - and not many British fans - because without him I wouldn't be here fighting for a world title."
Broner has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons again in the build-up to the world title fight which you can see on Spike, following reports there is a warrant out for his arrest.
But his behaviour outside the ring is not a concern to Theophane, who refuses to pass judgement on 'The Problem', boxing's currently loudest and brashest trash-talker.
"I knew as soon as I was going to fight him he was going to be loud, but this time he is doing even more promoting," he said.
"We know he likes to be controversial so it doesn't bother me. AB is AB, that's who he is.
"I don't really feel like I am representing the good side of boxing. That's how he is and that's how I am.
"But you know when he gets the chance to stir something up he's going to be outrageous."
Broner has predicted he will knock out his latest challenger inside four rounds but Theophane is ready to prove him - and the bookmakers who quote him as big as 12/1 to win - wrong.
Shawn Porter and Marcos Maidana proved too strong for three-division champion Broner in previous fights and Theophane believes he can hand him a hat-trick of defeats.
"Let's see if he can live up to what he's been saying," he said.
"He's said he is going to knock me out in four so he's going to come at me but I am prepared - and ready - for a war.
"I am prepared for it to go for the full 12 rounds, so I hope he is.
"I am a 12/1 underdog and I don't mind that, but they are losing silly money because I am going to show them they've got it wrong."
