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Antonio Brown 's fighting back against claims he tried to shoot and kill someone at a celebrity boxing match earlier this year, pleading not guilty to 2nd degree attempted murder ... an incident his attorney is adamant was nothing more than self-defense!

AB hired Mark Eiglarsh ahead of his trial ... and the lawyer sent TMZ Sports a statement addressing the altercation at Adin Ross ' event, explaining he took the case because he "passionately believes in Brown's defense." Essex County Department of Corrections

"The actions he was forced to take were solely in self-defense against the alleged victim's violent behavior," Eiglarsh said. "Brown was attacked that night and acted within his legal right to protect himself from an individual who had previously committed crimin

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