3 Potential Opponents for Adrien Broner in the Next Year

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It hasn't even been 24 hours since Adrien Broner's victory over the surprisingly game Gavin Rees in Atlantic City, but people are already talking about what's next. Broner showed speed, power and flash in his win Saturday night, and looks ready to start taking some big-time fights in the next year or so. 

So, here are some potential matchups for the Cincinnati slugger. All of these fights have a solid, realistic chance of actually being made as well, which only adds to their appeal. 

1. Ricky Burns/Miguel Vazquez

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These two guys are combined on this list because they have a lightweight unification match on March 16 in a fight that's too close to speculate on. Either way, both fighters would provide Broner with a good test in what could be a great last hurrah for him at 135 pounds. 

Not to mention it'd be for the WBC, IBF, WBO and Ring titles. It would be ideal for Broner to fight Burns or Vazquez around June before moving up to 140 pounds for fights in the fall/winter. He can collect some more titles, face a credible world-class opponent and gain even more exposure on HBO in a fight he'd be favored in. 

Sounds like a winning combination to me. 

2. Amir Khan

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Assuming Broner gets through either Burns or Vazquez and moves up to 140, a dream fight that I'd love to see is Broner against former 140-pound champ Amir Khan. Both are promoted by Golden Boy, which would make a smackdown very easy to make. It would also draw huge interest and big money in the US and in Great Britain. 

It's also a terrific matchup. Khan's jab and speed would definitely give Broner problems, while Broner's power could spark out the weak-chinned Khan at any moment. This fight would be a perfect blending of styles between two young fighters in their primes. 

3. Danny Garcia

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Perhaps the best fight, at least from a stylistic standpoint, would be a matchup with Danny Garcia at 140 pounds. Garcia has the WBC/WBA/Ring titles in this weight class, and features a fan friendly, come-forward style. He would make Broner fight off the back foot and push him to places he hasn't been before. 

Like Amir Khan, Garcia is with Golden Boy, making the fight more likely to occur. Garcia is managed by Al Haymon (just like Broner), but if enough money is on the table, they wouldn't be able to turn this match down. I see this showdown happening in the early part of 2014; it's too good not to be made. 

 

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