Adrien Broner vs. John Molina Jr. Results: Premier Boxing Champions Play-by-Play

Undercard Results

Local junior welterweight prospect Ladarius Miller improved to 6-0 (1) with a unanimous four-round decision fellow Las Vegas fighter Ryan Picou (2-7). Miller utilized an all-around better boxing game to pick apart his foe en route to winning via tallies of 40-36 on all three official scorecards.

Lightweight contender Robert Easter kept his unbeaten record intact with a second round drubbing of Mexico’s Alejandro Rodriguez. Easter rocked his opponent early in the second and then teed off on him until referee Jay Nady stepped in, ceasing the mugging. The official time of the TKO was 1:15 of the second, allowing Easter, from Toledo, OH, to improve to 13-0 with his tenth career stoppage. Rodriguez fell to 22-16-1 with 13 KOs.

Featherweight prospect Mario Barrios looked sharp against the tough Justin Lopez as he stopped him with a vicious body assault in the third. Barrios, who hails from San Antonio, scored a flash knockdown at the end of the second and then buckled his rival’s knees with a left hook to the liver the following round. Lopez, Austin, TX, backed into the ropes in an attempt to recover, but Barrios was all over him, raking his body with a furious attack until referee Robert Byrd stepped in. The official time of the TKO came at 1:53 of the third, raising Barrios’ record to 8-0 with his fourth pro knockout. Lopez dipped to 5-3 (5).

Adrien Broner vs. John Molina Jr.

Round 1

Broner comes out cautiously, flicking his left jab at the air. Molina takes about 45 seconds to throw his first punch; a meager left jab. Molina throws a lazy, slow left hook that misses by a mile and then does the same thing with his right. Broner ties him up, not making him pay. “The Problem” potshots a few counter left hooks and some jabs, but none of them land cleanly. At the ten-second mark, the restless crowd is already booing the lack of action.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Broner
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Broner
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Broner

Round 2

Broner takes the lead early with some left jabs but still, nothing is landing cleanly. Molina just stands there, looking at his foe in between blocking the jab. Molina charges in and ties up Broner, much to the dismay of the crowd. With 65 seconds left, Broner finally lands a decent punch, which is a lead left hook. Molina gets inside and looks to rough up Broner with punches to the head and body, but the Cincinnati fighter ties him up Molina ducks his head way low as he tries to come in but eats a left hook for his efforts.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Broner
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Broner
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Broner

Round 3

Broner lands several jabs as Molina walks in and then eats a wild right hand. Broner shakes it off and pops his foe with two more jabs and then a right hand. Again with the jab, Broner is in complete control. Molina attempts to lunge in with a left hand but clumsily tumbles to his knees. “The Gladiator” connects with a thudding right hand that appears to have shaken Broner, who returns the favor by jabbing to safety. Molina misses with two wild overhand rights just before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Molina
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Molina
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Molina

Round 4

Broner plays it safe with the jab early while Molina launches two more loopy overhand rights, both of which miss their target. Broner is not taking any risks; he just sits back and throws the jab and occasional counter left hand. Molina telegraphs another overhand right, allowing “The Problem” to easily sidestep it. A few more timid jabs from Broner at the bell just before he ducks away from a final right hand salvo from Molina.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Broner
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Broner
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Broner

Round 5

Broner opens the frame with a left/right to the head that’s blocked, but then digs a right to the gut. Molina clinches but on the break, Broner sticks him with a left to the chest. Robert Byrd scolds him accordingly. Molina unfurls a nasty overhand right but it just misses by mere inches. Lead left hook by Broner, followed by a right to the ribs. Left hand by Molina shakes Broner, but he quickly recovers to avoid the incoming right hand missile. Haymakers are being launched from everywhere courtesy of Molina, but Broner sees them all and stays safe. Molina opens up a furious assault near the bell, but Broner avoids every punch, instead raking his body with a thudding left/right.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Broner
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Broner
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Broner

Round 6

Molina comes in stiff and opts for a clinch, but Adrien smacks him with a right uppercut. Nice left jab snaps Molina’s head back. Hard left/right buckles Molina’s legs midway through the stanza but he returns the favor with a loopy right hand. Broner shakes it off and answers with a right. Broner is cruising now, popping his foe with punches to the head and body. All Molina can do is stumble forward, vying to clinch. Broner shucks him with successive shoulders and then shoves his head toward the canvas. Again, Byrd is not pleased and warns him just before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Broner
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Broner
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Broner

Round 7

Broner tags him repeatedly with some slick lead rights and pesky jabs. Molina slowly launches a wild right and left, but they miss by a full arm’s length. Molina again misses with an overzealous right hand and this time Broner makes him pay with a left/right. Very little action this round and again the fickle crowd is growing restless, tossing all sorts of vitriol at the fighters. Broner tags him with successive right hands, but all Molina does is pound his chin, asking to keep it coming.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Broner
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Broner
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Broner

Round 8

“The Gladiator” is hesitant to let his hands go early; the slick left jabs are forcing him into a defensive shell. Broner remains in complete control with shots to the head and body. Finally, Molina gets a shot off as he snaps Adrien’s head back with a left. After a three-punch combo, Molina clinches and forces his foe into the ropes. During the clinch, Broner mugs for the camera and does a shimmy, which elicits nothing but hatred from the crowd. Molina continues to clinch and finally, Byrd warns him.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Broner
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Broner
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Broner

Round 9

Hard left hook knocks Molina back. Broner fires a right hand that is equally powerful, but Molina shakes it off and regroups. Back to staying safe with the jab, “The Problem” is content to set traps and counter with single shots. Molina clinches again, but this time Broner nails him with a hard right uppercut. Byrd steps in and scolds both men for excessive holding. Molina is repeatedly pelted by the jab, severing his timing and making him miss every punch he throws.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Broner
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Broner
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Broner

Round 10

Molina stumbles awkwardly on the inside, but he meets a series of uppercut and short left hooks. Broner follows it up with patient jabs as he plays it safe. Molina can’t get any of his offense going so he opts to clinch. Short lead left hook by Broner, followed by a right to the gut. Byrd warns Broner for shoving off his with his elbow. Molina is now complaining that Broner is forcing his head down, which he is. Molina tries to come alive near the bell, but he misses with every punch and, in turn, swallows a few for good measure.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Broner
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Broner
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Broner

Round 11

They clinch immediately into the round, much to the dismay of the crowd. Broner jabs a few times to set something up but Molina clinches. “The Problem” is somewhat active early as he peppers his foe with shots upstairs and down, but Molina stumbles forward, forcing a clinch. Broner ducks under two wild hooks and clinches. Broner doesn’t let go and starts talking trash to him. They separate and Molina cracks him with a left hook once they re-engage. Per the norm, very little action inside the ring. The fighters are lathered with boos and hostility as they walk to their corners.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Broner
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Broner
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Broner

Round 12

Molina obviously needs a miracle knockout to win this one, but he waltzes out of his corner without any fire or desperation. Broner, intelligently, sticks to the game plan and presses his jab into Molina’s mug. Molina finally starts charging at “The Problem,” but Broner sees it coming and gets on his bike. Midway through the round and nothing significant has landed. Boos are being rained down from every crevice of the MGM Grand. Broner flicks out the occasional jab to the head and body as Molina walks after him. Straight right lands for Broner, who then scampers away with his right arm raised. Time expires and Molina dejectedly walks to his corner while Broner parades around the ring.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Broner (119-109 Broner)
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Broner (119-109 Broner)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Broner (119-109 Broner)

The Official Result

Adrien Broner def. John Molina Jr. via Decision (Unanimous) [120-108, 120-108, 118-110] R12

Keith Thurman vs. Robert Guerrero

Round 1

Thurman storms out of his corner and unloads with a quick barrage but Guerrero avoids it. They separate and “The Ghost” regroups. Thurman is very aggressive with the jab and counter right hand. Thurman nails him with a left/right, but Robert fires back with a right that ignites a terse slugfest. The action simmers and Thurman goes to the jab. Guerrero can’t find a rhythm yet as Thurman pops him jabs to the head and body. “One Time” delivers a hard right hand but on the way in he’s pasted by a left hook. The go toe-to-toe for a few seconds just before the bell but Thurman got the better of the two.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Thurman

Round 2

The action is a bit slower to start the second as Thurman paws with the jab. Guerrero lands a nice left uppercut as Thurman comes in low. Guerrero uncorks two lead lefts that land cleanly, but Thurman takes them well and returns the fire with a left/right. “One Time” with a sweeping left hook with a minute left. Hard right hand by Thurman sends Guerrero to the ropes but he takes it well. Thurman cracks him with a short right hand just as the bell ends the round.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Thurman

Round 3

The welterweights jab at each other early, but Thurman’s have more impact on them. Guerrero nails him with a vicious left uppercut on the inside a minute in and it forces him to stumble back. They clash heads and immediately a nasty hematoma sprouts on the upper left side of Thurman’s forehead. Thurman regroups quickly and digs to the body and head, but Guerrero is finding his rhythm. They swing wildly at the end of the round until the clinch. Very close round.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Guerrero
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Guerrero

Round 4

Thurman is a bit apprehensive to start the stanza, pawing with the left jaw from a distance. Guerrero isn’t active early on, either, as his right jab is flicked out here and there. Thurman misses a wild left and right to the head and pays for it with a left from “The Ghost.” Guerrero’s head is snapped back from a powerful left hand on the inside but he shakes it off. Nice overhand right by Thurman lands clean on Robert’s jaw, but again he is unfazed.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Thurman

Round 5

They stay at a safe distance and paw with their respective jabs. A minute in and little action has unfolded in the ring. Thurman doles out a nifty right uppercut on the inside. Hard left/right by Thurman with just under a minute remaining. Guerrero answers with a left of his own, but Thurman shrugs it off.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Thurman

Round 6

Guerrero stalks Thurman early, setting up with shots with the jab. Thurman is now on the defensive, backing away and using his movement. Thurman leans in but eats a left uppercut. There’s a little reddening/swelling around Thurman’s left eye a minute into the round. Guerrero is nailed by a clean right hand but his chin is pure granite. Guerrero rattles off a nice left uppercut that connects on his foe’s chin. Thurman answers with a double right to the mouth but misses with his follow-up left hook. Guerrero pops him with a straight left hand and it’s clean, but Thurman comes right back with a right/left. Guerrero obliges and dishes out a hard left to the cheeks. Hard right by Thurman at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Guerrero
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Thurman

Round 7

Guerrero is stalking Thurman again, trying to goad him into a brawl. Thurman keeps a safe distance and tosses jabs to the head and body. The hematoma on Thurman’s dome is growing more and more gruesome with each passing round; it’s now the size of a baseball. Hard right/left from Thurman lands cleanly but Guerrero doesn’t even realize he’s been hit. “The Ghost” can’t track his moving target down like did in the previous round routinely has to fend off pesky jabs.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Thurman

Round 8

Guerrero is back on the lead foot, following the champ with his jabs to the face and gut. Thurman digs a hard left hook to the body and narrowly avoids a wild left hook on his way out. Thurman cracks him with a few good jabs, and turns the tides. Now on the offensive, “One Time” goes upstairs and down with single shots. Guerrero can’t get the timing down and instead has to eat the punches. Hard double right/left from Thurman near the bell. Keith ends the frame with a left to the body.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-8 Thurman
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Thurman

Round 9

Thurman is moving beautifully; in and out, side-to-side and Guerrero can’t pin him down. Thurman sticks his jab in Guerrero’s face routinely. They miss left hooks and then “The Ghost” digs two rights to the body. Guerrero is having tremendous difficulty in dealing with Thurman’s angles. With about a minute left, Thurman unloads a massive right uppercut, flooring Guerrero. He barely beats the count as blood is streaming from a nasty gash above his left eye. Thurman charges in for the kill and bombards him. Guerrero bravely fights back toe-to-toe and somehow survives the round.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-8 Thurman
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-8 Thurman
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-8 Thurman

Round 10

Guerrero seems to have cleared his head and stalks down Thurman, but the action is stopped due to some tape being loose on Guerrero’s right glove. He’s still bleeding pretty badly from around his left eye. The fight resumes and Guerrero goes right after the champ. Guerrero cracks him with a nice left hook along the ropes but Thurman escapes to safety. Guerrero is all over Thurman, possibly knowing he has to go for broke because of the cut and how badly he’s behind on the cards. Left hook from Thurman with his back to ropes rocks Guerrero. They go toe-to-toe in the neutral corner; Guerrero is all over him. Hard right and then a left by “The Ghost” forces Thurman back, but “One Time” nails him with a left that buckles his knees at the bell. Great round of violence.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Thurman
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Guerrero
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Thurman

Round 11

Guerrero charges right after his foe, trying to go back to war. Thurman smartly uses his movement to set up his shots. Hard straight right from Thurman stops Guerrero in his tracks. Thurman is now on his bike, racing away from his challenger, which elicits some boos. Midway through the round and Thurman will not engage with Guerrero. “The Ghost” chases after him, trying to sucker him into a slugfest. Guerrero finally pins him along the ropes and digs into him. Thurman lands a glancing left hand with 30 seconds left. Thurman appeared to take the round off, much to the chagrin of the crowd. Very close round again.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Guerrero
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Guerrero
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Guerrero

Round 12

Guerrero assuredly needs a knockout in order to win this fight. As expected he races after Thurman and unloads a furious assault. Thurman retreats and regroups, clearly on his bike while popping out jabs. Thurman digs a right to the body. Guerrero is desperately trying to go to war but Thurman won’t allow it. Hard counter right by Thurman as Guerrero charges in, but he takes it well. Finally, Guerrero gets what he wants and it’s toe-to-toe in the center of the ring for a short time. Guerrero lands a few good shots, forcing Thurman to retreat. The crowd is heavily behind “The Ghost”, chanting his name. “One Time” again delivers a right uppercut as Guerrero charges in. Thurman digs a aeft uppercut on the inside and they stand forehead-to-forehead against the ropes, tearing into each other until the bell finally rings.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Thurman (117-110 Thurman)
C.J. Tuttle scores the round: 10-9 Thurman (118-109 Thurman)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Thurman (118-109 Thurman)

The Official Result

Keith Thurman def. Robert Guerrero via Decision (Unanimous) [Adalaide Byrd: 120-107, Dave Moretti: 118-109, Jerry Roth: 118-108] R12