This past July after losing a one sided fight to Adrien “the problem” Broner, Vicente Escobedo mentioned he wanted a fair fight against Broner. Broner who failed to make both the scheduled 130lb weight limit and the agreed weight on fight day dominated Escobedo for 5 rounds.
However if Escobedo felt that he was not given a fair shake when Broner failed to make weight, Antonio DeMarco was not only a fair fight it was also a solid opponent to make his lightweight debut against. This past Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey Broner (25-0, 21 KOs) entered the ring at a new weight limit against a challenger who many believed had what it took to beat the flashy Broner.
Former WBC lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco (28-3-1, 21 KOs), who’s only loss was at the hands of the late Edwin Valero of Venezuela in 2010 has steadily grown as a fighter since that loss. He defeated Jorge Linares in somewhat of a slight upset in the fall of last year and then stopped highly touted John Molina this past September which set him up with his Broner destiny.
However if DeMarco felt that Valero was his toughest test back in 2010, DeMarco should probably reassess his toughest opponent after being dominated by Broner for eight rounds and DeMarco was sent to the canvas from a left upper cut at the 1:49 mark. DeMarco’s corner immediately threw in the towel giving Broner the WBC lightweight title. Broner proved that he is not only flashy; he also has the boxing tools that only a select few are gifted to posses. Broner stated after that fight that he was making a statement to everyone that signs the contract to fight him is stepping into “doo doo they can’t get off their shoes.”
While Broner could have made his explanation in somewhat better ways, the truth of the matter is, Broner is in a league of his own. The lightweight division is filled with names such as Ricky Burns, Miguel Vazquez, and Richard Abril. Names that quite frankly are not on the same level as Broner.
Broner has been called out previously from guys such as Hank Lundy and Robert Guerrero and hearing his name is going to become common place for the next few years, add the fact that Floyd Mayweather is probably a couple years away from retiring and boxing has their new public enemy no.1 in the wings. It doesn’t hurt that Broner’s style is similar to Mayweather.
Whomever the next opponent is that steps into the ring with Broner is going to be in for a long night. Broner proved Saturday night that no matter what weight he is at, Broner is the man to beat and that seems almost unfair.
And then….
It was nice to see Larry Merchant announcing Saturday night.
Maybe it was just me, but Broner did seem to be breathing a little heavy in the last two rounds, his mouth was open a good amount. Perhaps it was just his own style but he may have not taken DeMarco all that seriously. He was in LA last weekend watching the 2012 Olympians debut as well as the Mares-Moreno fight.
This upcoming week is Thanksgiving and many of us that have much to be thankful for. However there are many others that are not as fortunate, please donate to any cause you feel strongly about this holiday season. Jackets, canned goods, toys or whatever you can to those in need.