Adrien Broner vs. Ashley Theophane: Fight Time, Date, Preview and TV Info

Adrien Broner lost his WBA super lightweight belt before even stepping into the ring to face Ashley "Treasure" Theophane after weight issues dramatically ended his reign as champion.

The fight—the headline act on a Premier Boxing Champions card that will air live Friday on Spike TV—still goes ahead despite Broner being 0.4 pounds over the limit, per FightNews.com.

As confirmed by ESPN.com's Dan Rafael on Twitter, the former holder will have to pay for his failure to come in at 140 pounds or less at Thursday's weigh-in:

Theophane can claim the strap with a victory at the D.C. Armory, but a defeat for the Englishman would see the title become vacant.

The bout had previously been in doubt when TMZ Sports reported a warrant was out for Broner's arrest. But, with the warrant issued by police only for Ohio, Broner was cleared to box in the nation's capital, per Mitch Abramson of The Ring magazine.

When: Friday, 9 p.m. ET / Saturday, 2 a.m. BST

Where: D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C.

TV: Spike TV (US)

The Problem with The Problem

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Broner (31-2, 23 KOs) is nicknamed The Problem. It seems appropriate, considering he makes more headlines these days for his activities out of the ring than he does for his achievements in one.

This fight was meant to be the time for him to get back to what made him famous in the first place—boxing.

His last fight saw him become a four-weight world champion by stopping Khabib Allakhverdiev in Round 12 in October, securing him the WBA Super belt at 140 pounds.

It was his first success inside the distance since he pummelled Welshman Gavin Rees in February 2013.

The 26-year-old said after the victory over the brave Allakhverdiev, per Marc Hardin of the Guardian: "I’m getting wiser. I’m getting older. After my last fight, I said I wasn’t putting my all into it."

The Cincinnati-born Broner is 50 per cent right—he's definitely getting older.

He was billed as the next Floyd Mayweather Jr. at one time, but he now he finds himself going up against one of Money's fighters.

The relationship between the pair has soured in recent years, so could Mayweather be tempted to make a return to action and face Broner with the chance to reach the milestone of 50 wins?

Isaac Robinson of SkySports.com wrote on the potential bout: "At the moment, Mayweather vs. Broner remains nothing more than speculation, but don't be surprised if, one day, Money returns in the unfamiliar guise of 'the good guy' to make boxing history by destroying a monster he played no small part in creating."

Perhaps it is all part of a clever plan, yet Broner's struggle on the scales suggest he still isn't putting his all into a career that has failed to live up to the early hype.

Treasured Chance

Born in London but now having his boxing base in Las Vegas, Theophane (39-6-1, 11 KOs) finds himself being used as a pawn in the Broner-Mayweather story.

Treasure has largely stayed out of the verbal sparring in the media, although he would like to pick up the prize to thank Mayweather for his support.

He told Sky Sports (h/t Tim Hobbs of SkySports.com):

"

I am just focused on putting on a great performance.

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.

"

So, can Theophane, who used to be a sparring partner for Mayweather, become a world champion at the age of 35?

The bookmakers don't appear to think so, and the challenger is priced at 12-1 for the win with Odds Shark.

British fans will be surprised that Theophane is even getting such an opportunity at this stage of his career.

The last time he fought on home soil was back in 2012, when he lost his British super lightweight title against Darren Hamilton (who was appearing in his 13th professional bout).

However, Theophane heads into the biggest fight of his life on a run of six successive victories, the last of them against Steve Upsher Chambers in September 2015.

Prediction

Broner was expected to comfortably deal with a challenger who is ranked in the top 10 only by the WBA.

Theophane's work with Mayweather has revitalised his career—he would never have received such an opportunity without Money's backing—but his record shows he is not a heavy hitter at the weight.

Considering Theophane has never been stopped in 46 bouts, Broner will retain his title with a points triumph. His failure to make weight means he will have to pace himself, though.

Don't be surprised if the immediate aftermath ends up being more entertaining than the actual bout.