Boxer Adrien Broner now fighting OVI charge

Days after winning a nationally televised fight, Cincinnati boxer Adrien Broner is fighting a OVI charge.

"It's very early in the process. He maintains his innocence," Broner's attorney, Will Welsh, said Thursday.

A woman who answered Broner's phone Thursday said he was unavailable.

Broner was arrested Jan. 11 at 1:30 a.m. in Sharonville driving a 2014 white Mercedes Benz at Kemper and Chester roads. Charged with drunken driving, Broner refused the breath test, an act that could result in his drivers license suspended for a year if convicted.

Broner, 25, of South Fairmount, made an appearance – and lots of money – on national television Friday night when he defeated John Molina Jr. in a lightweight division fight. He often made faces, talked to Molina and upset the crowd with his antics during that fight. The network that televised the fight also cut short the post-fight interview with Broner after he made what some consider racially insensitive comments. Previously, he was suspended by the World Boxing Council but was reinstated in July 2014.

Neither that nor the bout bothered Broner, whose nickname is "The Problem."

On Broner's Instagram account, a Tuesday post noted he's ready now for his next opponent. "No disrespect to Virgil Hunter he is a great coach and I got endless love for him but me and Amir khan can fight at the end of this month I haven't taken any punishment I'm back in the gym and ready to make a fool out of anybody "

Broner's record after Friday's fight is 30-1 with 22 knockouts. The English Woods native is a former three-time world champion now seeking his fourth title. He has won championships at 130, 135 and 147 pounds. He now fights as a super lightweight – maximum of 140 pounds.

He has fought several times in Cincinnati.

The case, before Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Lisa Allen, is next in court April 9. Broner has pleaded not guilty and asked for a jury trial.