Adrien Broner defeated Jovanie Santiago by unanimous decision in Connecticut as the former four-weight world champion claimed his first victory in over four years after ending a lengthy absence from boxing
Sunday 21 February 2021 07:44, UK
Adrien Broner had to settle for a hard-fought points win over Jovanie Santiago as the former world champion failed to impress on his return to the sport.
The four-weight world title holder, who ended an absence of over two years, was made to dig deep for a unanimous decision win over Santiago with scores of 116-111, 115-112 and 117-110 in Connecticut.
Broner showed little of his slick skills in the early rounds as Santiago repeatedly targeted his body, but the Puerto Rican was docked a point for landing a punch after the fourth round.
The Cincinnati man, nicknamed 'The Problem', showed more urgency in the second half of the fight and Santiago had to withstand a hurtful left hook in the eighth round.
There were flashes of Broner's class in the latter stages as he unloaded a crisp combination in the 11th, then landed his sharp left hook in the closing round.
With the verdict from the judges, Broner ended a four-year spell without a victory, which included defeats by Mikey Garcia and Manny Pacquiao.
