Khabib Allakhverdiev is convinced Adrien Broner is “scared” ahead of their clash on Saturday [October 3] for the vacant WBA world super-lightweight title.
The pair will meet at U.S Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio – Broner’s hometown – and the Russian will attempt to regain the strap he relinquished to Jessie Vargas on a contentious decision in his last outing.
While Broner stuck to his vow of silence at the pre-fight press conference, Allakhverdiev took the opportunity to sound off on his adversary.
“He [Broner] is nervous. That’s why he’s acting like a clown,” he saiid.
“This is his hometown. It’s his last chance for a world title and he shows up late and makes it look like he’s joking around with everybody and doesn’t care. I’ve seen fighters do this before and it’s because he is scared.
“He knows what will happen on Saturday. He can clown around all he wants, but that won’t help him when we are in the ring.
“I feel great seeing him nervous. For me, this is just another fight and just another win and that’s what it will be. A win for me over this nervous clown. I am going to beat him in front of all his friends.”
Khabib’s promoter, the peculiar Vlad Hrunov, also directed a few jibes at Broner.
“Why are we not a sell out? We are in your hometown,” he queried.
Over in Carson, California, Lucas Matthysse fights Viktor Postol for the vacant WBC super-lightweight strap on the same night.
