Broner cancels Figueroa Jr fight, citing mental health

Adrien Broner has pulled out of his comeback welterweight bout with Omar Figueroa Jr to focus on his mental health.

He last fought 18 months ago with a scrappy win against Jovanie Santiago, but the fight against 28-2-1 Figueroa Jr was set to be his return to the big time.

But Broner was forced to apologise on Monday as he said his mental health wasn't in the right place for him to enter the fight.

Adrien Broner's statement about cancelling the fight vs Omar Figueroa Jr

"Sorry to all my fans but mental health is real and I'm not about to play inside the ring," Broner said.

"I've watched a lot of people die playing with their boxing career and that is something I won't do.

"I love the sport of boxing too much to not give my all and I feel like I came up short before because my mind wasn't 100 percent there and I be dam if I make that mistake again.

"I need to make some changes for the better instead of worrying about other people feelings and pleasing them."

It seems likely he will return to the ring at some point, but he added he's not worried about his legacy.

Broner has been world champion in four different weight classes across the 2010s, and was widely regarded as a top 10 welterweight boxer as recently as 2018.

But his career stumbled after a loss to Manny Pacquiao in February 2019 and he's only fought once since.

"In all reality I have nothing to prove to nobody," he added.

"I'm a four-time world champion in four different weight classes and if I never lace up a pair of gloves again I feel like it's safe to say I will be inducted into the Boxing Hall Of Fame.

"I have to step back and overcome this obstacle before I go put my life on the line inside the square circle.

"I know I'm far from being finished with the sport. See you all soon."

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