Tijuana, Mexico’s Antonio DeMarco (28-3-1, 21 KO’s) in defending his WBC lightweight title in Atlantic City, New Jersey’s Boardwalk Hall last night would have no answer to “The Problem” that is undefeated rising star Adrien Broner (25-0, 21 KO’s) of Cincinnati, Ohio.
The victim of a practical one sided thrashing, Antonio in giving his all found it was nowhere near enough, as the challenger for the majority of the eight and one half rounds of action would remain directly in front of his opponent, surgically dissecting the now former champion to land numerous calculated head snapping blows.
Photo: Tom Hogan/Hoganphotos
The official end came at 1:49 of round 8, as Broner would finish matters courtesy of a smashing left uppercut which would stagger and then drop DeMarco for the first time in his career, prompting his handlers to immediately waive the white towel of surrender. In the process, Adrien in his debut at 135 pounds not only captures the WBC belt, but instantaneously takes out the divisions top dog.
“Once I’m in there, when I got a game plan and I see something, I go after it,” stated Broner post-fight. Shake’em, bake’em, cook’em and eat’em. Coming into this fight I knew he [DeMarco] wouldn’t have the skills and the will to beat me. I wanted to make a statement that anybody that fight’s Adrien Broner, that signs that contract, done stepped in some doo doo they can’t get off their shoe.”
Maybe not the most eloquent of statements, but for boxing’s latest prodigy, a young man who considers himself first and foremost an entertainer, he would put on a dazzling display of speed, accuracy, and power so as to put the lightweight, and perhaps the junior welterweight division as well on notice.
Johnathon Banks makes good on promise
In the co-main event, two American heavyweight hopefuls would collide, only to see the once-beaten three-time national amateur champion and Emmanuel Steward protégé Johnathon Banks (29-1-1, 19 KO’s) register the second round kayo over former Michigan State University linebacker Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (25-1-1, 19 KO’s).
The end would be recorded as 2:37 of round 2 after the smaller Banks would drop his game but less experienced opponent for the third and final time, each knockdown the result of hard right hands, prompting referee Eddie Cotton to intervene so as to prevent further punishment to Mitchell.
Stated Mitchell, “I threw a looping shot and reached and he did what he was supposed to do, caught me with a counter-shot. I’m gonna bounce back. Don’t be sorry for me be sorry for my next opponent.”
Edged out by the busier Mitchell who landed the stiffer shots to both body and head in round one, Banks would come on like gang-busters in the second frame, connecting with the telling shots that would eventually finish his adversary off. And although Seth during this entire brief encounter would gamely come forward and try to fight his way out of trouble, that strategy would simply backfire.
As a result, not only would Banks inflict Seth Mitchell’s first pro defeat, but he also garners “Mayhem’s” recently acquired WBO/NABO heavyweight title, making good on his promise to emerge victorious by proving “what a true boxer at the highest level can do against a football player.”
Asked by Larry Merchant post-fight as to what role recently deceased Emmanuel Steward may have played in his victory, Johnathon Banks would respond, “the role of Emmanuel Steward played into my life, and fighting is my life. So I just want to dedicate this to him, because I know he’s a man of knockouts.”
In addition to Banks inheriting a fringe title, perhaps more importantly this bout was a WBC semi-final eliminator which could eventually and ironically pit Johnathon against WBC heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, a fighter whom Banks as cornerman would guide to victory over Mariusz Wach in Wlad’s most recent title defense just one week ago.
Banks, who has worked with Klitschko over the years, alluded to the fact that he makes a habit out of knowing how to fight Wladimir, so that even though size disadvantaged, he feels he has a chance to upend the Ukranian stalwart should they meet down the road.
