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by:

Joshuwa
"Ashyknuckles"
Jernigan

For many years the boxing world has been introduced to the next so-called “biggest thing in boxing.” The pundits quickly hype these prospect fighters as some new phenomenon and begin comparing the aspirant(s) to legendary fighters of years past. As time goes by those same media persons continue to highly tout these young fighters after blowing out nondescript opposition. Month after month, promoters lock up countless TV dates to showcase their young boxers fighting hand-picked journeymen in the ring. Within a few years, those aforementioned prospects shoot up the division’s rankings to become the mandatory contender for a world title shot. And, if there aren’t any current titlists present to defend against their young charge, those same prospects have the chance to fight for a title against some obscure opponent. It’s mind boggling how some fighters magically receive a top 5 ranking, without having to fight anyone in the top 10, thus making the path to becoming champion easier.

Most prospects don’t go through a privileged journey to world title contention, and this weekend’s scrap shouldn’t be any different. On March 5th, at The Honda Center in Anaheim, California the boxing world will get an opportunity to see one of the most skilled, yet unheralded prospects attempting to earn a top ranking by defeating a former champion in Daniel Ponce De Leon. The prospect’s name is Adrien “The Problem” Broner from Cincinnati, Ohio. Broner boasts an unblemished record of (19-0, 16KO’s) but hasn’t fought a familiar name to date in his career. However, the fighters whom have been placed in front of Broner have been completely blown out by his blazing hand-speed and crushing punching power. Broner recently made headlines over the web when he publicly stated his desire to fight and defeat either Jason “American Boy” Litzau (28-2, 21KO’s) or Daniel Ponce De Leon (41-2-1, 34KO’s).

"I would crush him early. Litzau is wild and slow. He wouldn't hit me with none of that stuff. I'll see him a mile away. I'll probably have a bigger workout in the entrance than the fight. I'm ready. I just fought on Saturday and as you can see I'm right back in the gym. Ponce De Leon would be the easiest opponent for me. He's too slow, his defense is terrible and his footwork is terrible. And both guys, their chins are not good," Broner said.

This weekend Broner has the opportunity to prove his statements truthful as he faces former WBO featherweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon. This fight represents a significant step up in class, but the overly confident challenger sees it as an opportunity to be seen on a world stage. As a standout amateur Adrien “The Problem” Broner compiled an impressive record consisting of 300 fights with less than 20 losses. Broner is a boxer/puncher who combines speed, power and intelligence to confuse and befuddle his opponents in the ring. Highly skilled and confident, Broner doesn’t waste time as he stands in front of his opponents using reflexes and upper body movements to dodge their big shots, and return with his own hard, crisp counter punches.

On paper, this match looks like a showcase fight for Broner. However, De Leon has several intangibles that favor him in this match-up. De Leon is a southpaw, has championship experience, and he has fought more quality opponents than Broner. Those intangibles, along with the fact that Broner has never fought past eight rounds, make this a very dangerous fight for any up and coming fighter. That is more than I can say about the main event, Saul Alvarez vs. Matthew Hatton, which is a slap in the face to all fighters and fans that faithfully follow this sport.

There is a lot to gain by both men, if victorious. With a win, Broner would get closer to his dream of becoming world champion by securing a top spot in the division. For De Leon, a victory would get him closer to a rematch against Juan Manuel Lopez who brutally stopped De Leon in one round back in 2008.

Whatever the outcome, Broner vs. De Leon should make for an entertaining fight. Some critics feel Broner is being rushed into the ring with a lion before actually seeing what the fighter can really do. But, for Broner, he sees his next opponent as merely another step closer to achieving similar greatness attained by his favorite fighter, Floyd Mayweather Jr. I always say that you never really know what a fighter has in him until you match him with tough opponents. This scrap represents just that, a prospect versus a tough, rugged veteran fighter. And if by chance the fight makes it to the tenth round, in the deep waters, we will truly see if this young pugilist will indeed sink or swim.

You can email Joshuwa at ashyknuckles@mandatorydefenseboxing.com, follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/APunchersChance and catch him on each Wednesday’s night live on 8-10 PM CST when he co-hosts the BlogTalk radio show Rope-A-Dope Radio.