Regis Prograis believes Adrien Broner is past his prime

Adrien Broner returned on Saturday night after a 25-month layoff to win by unanimous decision over Jovanie Santiago. The fight was much tighter than expected, with some giving Santiago the advantage.

Santiago dominated the first half of the competition with his aggressiveness and body attack. Broner came back from the seventh round with his counter punch, stunning the Puerto Rico native in the eighth with his patented left hook, and eventually threw combinations as the fight entered the championship rounds. The judges ruled that what Broner was meant more and marked the fight for the Cincinnati native to give him his first win in four years. Few of Broner’s peers were impressed with his performance, including someone competing in the “The Problem” weight class desires to make his home.

Fellow junior welterweight and former unified titlist Regis Prograis dismissed Broner’s performance and believes that time has passed the former four division champion.

“I’ll say it now. AB is past its prime,” said Prograis. “He’s 31 but he’s 31. He’s been boxing since he was 6.7 and he’s had a lot of tough fights. He’s not the old AB. His reflexes are gone and he’s slowing down . He should still beat this guy though. “

Prograis was not done with his thoughts on Broner.

“AB needs to pick up the pace,” Prograis said. “I would have knocked this guy out in under 5 minutes.”

During his post-fight squeeze, Broner was asked about Prograis’s assessment of him. Broner respects what Prograis has accomplished, but is committed to delivering a beating like no other.

“I always encourage him and wish him the best, but if he steps in the ring with me, I’m going to f… do it,” Broner replied jokingly.

Prograis (25-1, 21 KOs) last fought in October, beating Juan Heraldez by TKO in the third round. “Rougarou” is currently without an opponent and facing Broner would be the biggest name on his CV.