Live from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey this Saturday night on HBO World Championship Boxing, 23 year old Cincinnati native and undefeated rising star Adrien “The Problem” Broner (24-0, 20 KO’s) will be on display. For this fight Broner will move up in weight from 130 pounds where he would capture a world title, to challenge southpaw Antonio DeMarco (28-2-1, 21 KO’s) of Tijuana, Mexico for Antonio’s 135 pound WBC lightweight belt.And though the odds seem stacked against him, Antonio DeMarco is no stranger to beating the odds, as once homeless and sifting through refuse for his daily sustenance, he’s risen to the top of the lightweight division in a classic rags to riches saga. In having done so, the Mexican prizefighter in addition to being supremely confident and battle tested, has a few other things going for him.
Well schooled, DeMarco is an ultimate warrior, a methodically patient fighter who as the defending champion has the option of having Adrien Broner come to him, picking and choosing his ground as well as spots to work in.
But it’s despite these favorable aspects, and for all of Antonio’s past successes that he’s proven vulnerable to those who throw skillful combinations with lot’s of hand speed, attributes the challenging Broner demonstrates incessantly. This was quite in evidence on more than one occasion with DeMarco, to include bouts with both Jorge Linares and the now deceased Edwin Valero, two quite competent and quick fisted fighters.
In his encounter with Edwin Valero, the Mexican would receive a pummeling, to then retire after nine complete rounds for the first and only stoppage loss of his career. Then in a subsequent confrontation with Linares, Antonio would over the course ten rounds become victimized in an almost one-sided affair, only to come up with a stunning eleventh round TKO in what amounted to an instant classic, capturing the very title he’s to put on the line this weekend.
And as to what will bode well for DeMarco in trying to solve “The Problem,” Antonio in the Linares bout would demonstrate tremendous heart, courage, durability, as well as the capacity to carry his power late into a fight, all necessary elements that along with a solid game plan, will have to be present in abundance when facing Broner.
But whether what power Antonio has will be effective, and/or whether he’s afforded an opportunity to land significantly at any point against an outstanding defensive prodigy in Adrien Broner, this remains to be seen.
All told it would appear that Adrien’s speed, accuracy, defense, and power combined look to be more than a hungry and determined DeMarco can withstand. It’s to the point that the defending champion in no doubt having to take some chances to retain his status may have to come up with a Rocky Balboa type performance against the highly touted Broner.
But up for the challenge DeMarco’s not only quite driven to succeed, he’s practically un-phased by all the pro Broner hoopla as an apparent underdog. It’s no doubt recollecting his past that’s been central to his success, as not only did Antonio’s belief in himself allow him to rise to the top, but his current confidence level and desire to remain Ring Magazine’s number one rated lightweight is perhaps unmatched.
With that said, beyond Antonio DeMarco catching Broner sound asleep at the wheel to score what would appear to be an upset victory, I’m hard pressed to see the Mexican warrior retain his belt, much less go the distance which may prove to be a victory in itself.
In what is surely an uphill battle, the defending champion will have to whether the storm headed his way, as “The Problem” is no less than intent on making a statement by scoring a knockout after recent negative press in regards to surrendering his former junior lightweight title on the scale to Vicente Escobedo, a fighter who Broner simply outclassed.
And while there are those who choose to advocate on DeMarco’s behalf by referencing a year and a half old Broner-Ponce De Leon match up where southpaw fighter De Leon not only went the full ten round distance but made it close enough of a fight so as to be controversial, this is not a good indicator of what is likely to transpire come fight night. “The Problem” has simply turned a corner, highly improving at all phases of the game so that he is much more of a force in comparison to that time.
Still others would argue further that Adrien in gaining four stoppages in a row since the DeLeon contest has not fought the most formidable of opposition, facing off with the likes of a cringing Jason Litzau, a lessor skilled Vicente Rodriguez, an outsized Eloy Perez, and Vicente Escobedo, although his most accomplished opponent, an opponent not up to the challenge.
Though there is merit to the above position, in defeating the aforementioned fighters quite soundly one cannot dismiss Broner’s skill set or ability to close the show. Nevertheless, this will be a step up for Broner as well as a chance to see what kind of chin he has if indeed DeMarco can find a way to get to it.
With that said, even though DeMarco is on a three-fight kayo streak, first taking out Linares followed by Miguel Roman falling in five with John Molina folding in just 44 seconds, a daunting task lay ahead. And with the champion sure to give it his all, the question then becomes, will his all be enough?
Unless something goes freakishly wrong I see Antonio’s title reign as being short lived. At the least I expect Broner should be able to garner a quite favorable decision, predicated of course on the Mexican fighter remaining upright, with a fight ending barrage visited upon an overwhelmed DeMarco quite likely to come at any point before the limit.
Stated Broner along these lines, “I’m not coming just to win this fight, I’m coming to knock DeMarco out. This fight is speed versus power and it’s going to be just another day in the ring for me. Going up in weight is going to be different and I know he can hit, but you can’t hit what you can’t see and I’m too fast and furious for him.”
Of course there are always two if not more sides to every story. “This is another tough fight that has been presented to me and I’m going to do everything to keep my WBC title,” said DeMarco. “Broner talks a big game but he’s never been in the ring with a hungry Mexican fighter like me. I wanted this fight from the moment it was offered to me because I know I’ll be the first person to beat Broner and put him in his place. When I put my hands on him, he’ll regret his decision to move up to my division.”
Broner vs. DeMarco, a 12-round fight for DeMarco’s WBC Lightweight World Championship will take place Saturday, November 17th at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions, and sponsored by Corona, AT&T, and Caesars Atlantic City, to be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
In the co-main event, two of the United States’ top hopes for heavyweight glory will clash when undefeated former Michigan State University linebacker Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (25-0-1, 19 KO’s) takes on once-beaten three-time national amateur champion and Emmanuel Steward protégé Johnathon Banks (28-1-1, 18 KO’s).
This will be a twelve-round bout for Mitchell’s NABO heavyweight title which was originally scheduled for July 14th, but was rescheduled when Mitchell suffered a hand injury forcing him to withdraw.
“It’s taken a while, but I’m happy to finally be back in action. I expect to have the best Johnathon Banks come November 17th before the unfortunate passing of Emanuel Steward, but I am going to be ready. You know I’m after something and he’s next in line, he’s in the way. Whatever he brings to the table, I’ll be ready for.”
Johnathon Banks on the other hand in working with Emanuel Steward and Wladimir Klitschko over the years is now ready to make a run for the heavyweight title. “I’m looking to steal the show on November 17,” said Banks. “I’ll prove what a true boxer at the highest level can do against a football player. The winner of our fight should be next in line for a title shot. I plan on making sure that winner is me.”
