Boxing: Adrien Broner Returns April 1 to Fight Ashley Theopane

The last time the world saw Adrien Broner inside the squared circle, he was taking his time before stopping Khabib Allakhverdiev in the 12th round to capture one of those WBA “super” titles at 140 pounds in October. It was his first fight since losing a unanimous decision to Shawn Porter but it seemed like the boxing world was largely indifferent to the performance.

Broner (31-2, 23 KOs) will look to build upon a reputation as a great fighter and even more dominant trash talker when he climbs into the ring to take on Englishman Ashley Theopane at the D.C. Armory in the nation’s capital on April 1. Premier Boxing Champions announced late Wednesday that the fight will be televised live on Spike as part of its popular Friday Night Lights Out series, with coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Broner, who snatched up the WBO junior lightweight, WBC lightweight and WBA welterweight as well, said he is excited to get back into the ring and take on Theopane, a credible fighter with a ton of experience.

“Ashley Theophane is a world class fighter and this is going to be a tough fight for me,” Broner said in a release. “I'm very excited to fight in Washington, D.C. My following is huge in D.C., it's my second home, and I think we're going to give the fans what they're looking for. I want to fight the best in the 140-pound weight division and Ashley Theophane is one of the best.”

Theopane (39-6-1, 11 KOs), moved from his hometown of London to Las Vegas. Though he hasn’t yet hoisted a world title, he has won six in a row and is pumped to be fighting by far the best opponent of his career.

“I'm excited to face Adrien Broner for a super lightweight world championship,” said Theophane. “It's been a long, hard road to get here. Thanks to Floyd Mayweather and everyone at Mayweather Promotions for their support over the last two and a half years. I get to have my career defining fight against a four-division world champion. It gets no bigger than that. I will be leaving the ring on April 1 as the new world champion.”

A 10-round lightweight clash between Robert Easter (16-0, 13 KOs) and Algenis Mendez (23-3-1, 12 KOs) is also scheduled, though no other matchups have been officially announced for the event.