“R.I.P Coach Mike”: Terence Crawford, Caleb Plant, and Others Pay Tribute as Adrien Broner Prepares for His Second Run Without Beloved Trainer

Next Friday, on June 7, Adrien Broner has a fight. ‘The Problem’ squares up against Blair Cobbs at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The former had his last fight 12 months ago. On June 9, 2023, he fought and defeated Bill Hutchinson by a unanimous decision. The period thereafter saw Broner suffer a major bereavement. On September 6, he lost one of the people he was closest to. Apart from being his long-time trainer, Mike Stafford was a mentor, guardian, and father figure to the Cincinnati-born former world champion.

Now, nine months after the award-winning trainer left, Adrien Broner is about to face his next big challenge. So, expressing all his love and promising a win, ‘About Billions’ decided to dedicate his upcoming match to Mike Stafford. Standing in solidarity with him, soon a number of well-known names from the boxing world joined.

Adrien Broner, “This one’s for you, no matter where you’re watching from”

“R.I.P. Coach Mike, this next run is for you. I love you to death. I will be champion again!!!!!,” said Broner. With Lil Durk‘s ‘All My Life’ playing in the background, the emotionally gripping video features a montage of clips taken from matches, training footage, and life in general when Stafford guided ‘About Billions’ to the heights of his career.

In between, the legendary trainer could be seen speaking about his famous charge. One sequence shows Broner saying, “You’re more than a coach to me,” while jumping ropes. Stafford could be heard urging in the background, “Keep talking, champ, keep talking…” So ‘The Problem’ immediately shouts back, “That’s the ni**a that saved my life!”

A storied career saw Mike Stafford receive the Junior Olympic ‘Developmental Coach of the Year’ honors in 1994. Later, he distinguished himself as the United States Olympic Committee ‘National Coach of the Year’ for three years: 2003, 2005, and 2007. The 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics in Athens and Beijing, respectively, saw him serve on the coaching staff of USA Boxing.

Over the years, some of the world champions that came out of stable include Jamel Herring, Devon Alexander, Robert Easter Jr., Rau’shee Warren, and of course Adrien Broner. Mike Stafford’s commitment to the community and engaging with children have left a lasting impression on everyone.

The fight is for you to take; don’t give up

Everyone urged Adrien Broner to stay put and give his best shot in the upcoming fight. But along with the former champion, they all remembered the man who made the difference in the lives of so many. Let’s check what some of them said.

The first male two-division undisputed champion, Terence Crawford, who is himself going to enter the ring after a gap of 12 months, urged ‘About Billions’ not to lose his focus. He assured the former world champion that Mike Stafford would be keeping an eye on him from somewhere and smiling. “He watching smiling like he always do so stay focused, @adrienbroner, stay focused,” said ‘Bud’ Crawford.

Acknowledging the absence of Stafford, former IBF super middleweight champion Caleb Plant mentioned how the former excelled in his role both as a person and as a trainer: “Miss you, Coach Mike. Great man, great coach.” Wishing peace for Stafford’s soul, Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell. The former IBF interim super middleweight champion shared how eagerly he anticipated an unforgettable performance from ‘The Problem’ in the upcoming bout: “I love this, bro!! The next one up is for the OG. I’m ready to see the performance of a lifetime. RIP COACH MIKE.”

Calling out Mike Stafford as the ‘greatest of all time’, sports reporter and YouTuber Elie Seckbach also joined others in offering his condolences and honoring the legendary trainer’s memory. “RIP coach Mike,” said Seckbach. Super middleweight boxer Demond Nicholson hailed Stafford as someone very exceptional. He expressed a wish for Stafford’s legacy to continue for a long time. “Special, special, special! Long live Coach Mike!” Nicholson said.

A story that ran in the ‘Cincinnati Enquirer’ last year shared a revelation from Mike Stafford’s elder brother. Mr. Gary Stafford revealed that, until his friends brought him to boxing, he was least interested in the sport.

However, things changed once he took it. Over the years, like a shining light, he inspired droves of boxers. What endeared him to most of his charges was the fact that he stayed with them for most of their careers. From amateur circuits to big paydays, Stafford would hand-hold his boxers. No wonder so many consider him the most important cog in the wheel that catapulted their careers to heights. The most befitting epitaph for Mike Stafford could be summarized by the saying, “It’s how people remember you after you leave the world that truly matters.”

Who would you want Adrien Broner to go against if he scored a win against Blair Cobbs? Please share your views with us in the comments below.