Adrien Broner won a split-decision at home over former sparring partner Adrian Granados, but was Granados jobbed?

Adrien Broner narrowly defeated ex-sparring partner Adrian Granados by split-decision Saturday night in Cincinnati, OH. It was Broner’s third victory in five welterweight fights and third straight win since dropping a decision to Shawn Porter in 2015.

Granados (18-5-2, 12 KOs) gave Broner everything he could handle. He borrowed from Paulie Malignaggi’s blueprint, flooding Broner with volume during periods of inactivity. Many feel it was enough for Granados to earn the win.

Judges scored the fight 97-93 and 96-94 for Broner, and 97-93 Granados. I had the fight a draw, 95-95. Granados volume and hustle gave Broner (33-2, 24 KOs) fits, but AB landed the more telling, quality shots throughout the fight.

The fight was competitive enough that it could’ve been scored to either fighter. Granados called Broner out for a rematch in his native Chicago. Broner ignored the challenge and revealed to Showtime’s Jim Gray that he’d injured his left hand in the first round of the fight.

“I hurt my hand in the first round,” he said. “I had to stay inside because I had no jab.”

Broner stayed inside in his losses to Porter and Marcos Maidana too. It’s become obvious staying inside isn’t a tactical choice he’s making, the choice is made for him by any opponent good enough to capitalize on his flaws.

AB has all but closed the door on a return to junior welterweight, and that’s too bad. He simply isn’t as effective at the full welterweight limit and is a bad loss waiting to happen.