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Mike CoppingerESPN
Adrien Broner withdrew from Saturday’s junior welterweight struggle vs. Omar Figueroa citing the necessity to handle his psychological well being, he introduced on Instagram.
Sergey Lipinets will substitute Broner within the PBC on Showtime predominant occasion in Hollywood, Fla., sources informed ESPN.
That is the second time a struggle between Broner and Figueroa was cancelled. The previous champions have been set to sq. off in April 2018 earlier than Figueroa withdrew with a shoulder damage.
“Sorry to all my followers however psychological well being is actual and I am not about to play contained in the ring,” wrote Broner, whose latest losses got here towards Manny Pacquiao and Mikey Garcia. “I’ve watched lots of people die enjoying with [their] boxing profession and that’s one thing I will not do.
“Simply pray for me. I like the game of boxing to [sp] a lot to not give my all and I really feel like I got here up brief earlier than as a result of my thoughts wasn’t 100% there and I be dam [sp] if I make that mistake once more.”
Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs) has scored just one victory in his final 4 fights, a controversial determination over Jovanie Santiago final February. The 33-year-old from Cincinnati has competed simply 3 times prior to now 4 years. Figueroa, too, has been inactive with additionally three fights throughout that point span.
“Not saying you do not undergo from psychological well being points as a result of as we are able to all inform you do, simply do not use it as an excuse now after you’ve got been disciplined and never taking this struggle/coaching camp critically,” Omar Figueroa, the older brother of former 122-pound champion Brandon Figueroa, wrote on social media.
“You aren’t getting to undermine mine and numerous others’ journey and struggles [with] psychological well being due to your undisciplined/infantile dumb ass.”
Figueroa (28-2-1, 19 KOs) will now look to finish a two-fight skid towards Lipinets, arguably a harder opponent than Broner. Figueroa, a 32-year-old Texan, was outpointed by Yordenis Ugas in 2019 earlier than he was stopped in Spherical 6 by Abel Ramos final yr.
Lipinets (16-2-1, 12 KOs) can be winless in his final two fights following a draw with Custio Clayton in 2021 earlier than he suffered a sixth-round KO vs. Jaron Ennis final yr.
Saturday’s undercard options two title fights. Alberto Puello fights Batyr Akhmedov for the WBA’s vacant junior welterweight title Taylor on together with a WBA junior light-weight title bout between Roger Gutierrez and Hector Garcia.
