Adrien Broner vs. John Molina: Viewing Info and Preview for Saturday's Showdown

It's no Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao, but NBC figures to have a hit on its hands on Saturday when it debuts Premier Boxing Champions headlined by Adrien "The Problem" Broner (29-1, 22 KOs) and John Molina Jr. (27-5, 22 KOs).

It's the start of a 20-card agreement between Al Haymon and NBC, and a great one at that—boxing fans around the globe know all about Broner's sheer talent and flair for the controversial.

Molina won't ring as many bells outside of hardcore circles, but he's a worthwhile adversary on the hunt for a career-changing victory on a global stage in order to wash away the stigma that comes with two straight losses.

In an effort to further the sport, drama, desperation and some of the top talent the globe has to offer take center stage Saturday night.

Broner vs. Molina Fight Info

Date: Saturday, March 7

Time (E/T): 8:30 p.m. ET

Location: MGM Grand in Las Vegas

TV: NBC

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
 

Preview 

USA TODAY Sports

At first blush, it may be simple to pick Broner, winner of two straight and 25 years old, over a 32-year-old veteran who has lost two in a row and appears on a downswing.

That losing streak is deceptive, though. A loss last April to Lucas Matthysse hurts, but it was one of last year's top fights overall considering Molina hit the mat three times but also knocked down Matthysse twice.

A unanimous-decision loss in September against Humberto Soto hurts, but a defeat to a titleholder and winner of seven straight—and a loser just once in his last 23 bouts dating back to 2008—is not some career-ending streak that gives folks a pass to write off Molina.

In fact, he is a savvy knockout artist who has three KOs in his last six bouts, and he says Broner's flair for the dramatic might be his downfall Saturday.

“Is Broner a showman? Yes, but his accolades speak for themselves,” said Molina, per Lem Satterfield of The Ring Magazine. “In the ring, however, you have to respect his craft. He’s very quick-handed, but I believe that he is going to stand in there and exchange with me, which I believe will be to his demise.”

For his part, Broner isn't doing much to change that thought process.

BoxingInsider.com provides the details:

When Broner spoke with Satterfield, it almost seemed as if there is a sense of desperation to his approach to Saturday night's fight:

"

A victory is a victory but nothing is like a knockout. I love knockouts and the fans love knockouts and stoppage. I feel like with my skills and if I come in and do the things that I know that I can do, it’s a great chance that I do stop John Molina and this is boxing. A knockout is only one punch away.

"

Perhaps Broner is on to something—perhaps not. Either way, it's clear both men have something to prove and may be stubborn about it. The only result will be an entertaining bout that may produce a stoppage early.

The vibes coming from Broner's camp make sense. He's won two straight—unanimous decisions over Carlos Molina and Emmanuel Taylor—but what weighs heavily on the minds of most is his ugly loss at the hands of Marcos Maidana in December 2013.

There, Broner bit the canvas twice, and a freight train of momentum that suggested he was on his way to being the sport's next big thing derailed.

In theory, the track is rebuilt, the engine modified and the conductor wiser. The loss to Maidana shows that the more talented boxer does not always win, a lesson Broner had better fully understand before he steps into the ring on Saturday night.

Broner is vastly more talented and quicker, but Molina will push the pace and test his chin.

It's going to be a blow-for-blow sort of exchange until somebody hits the mat, something that doesn't really favor either fighter.

It's hard to pick against the superior talent in a showdown such as this, especially with the path back to the top of the sport in sight. So long as Broner prepped in a serious manner and implements some sort of defense with his quick-twitch athleticism, he should have no problem scoring a technical knockout late in the proceedings.

That's the safe way to go from a pick standpoint, although nothing is safe when The Problem enters the spotlight.

Prediction: Broner via TKO.