Tonight’s HBO show is a welcome
distraction for storm-ravaged Atlantic City citizens, a small reprieve bringing
with it a sense of return to normalcy after all the damage Hurricane Sandy
wrought. In the main event, Antonio DeMarco makes a quick return (after
knocking out John Molina in September) against an Adrien Broner who is rewarded
with an immediate title shot after relinquishing his junior lightweight title
for his inability to make weight. HBO and Golden Boy Promotions ensured us tonight
is not all about the boxing. They are bringing monetary relief as well, making
a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City, whose buildings
suffered extensive damage. Golden Boy is also donating two dollars for every
ticket sold and $1,000 per knockout registered during the event and Oscar De la
Hoya has donated tickets to the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City. This is
an event that brings good will and joy to all associated with it and when was
the last time you can say that about a sporting event?
At
Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
(HBO) Antonio DeMarco (28-2-1) vs. Adrien Broner (24-0)
(The Ring magazine #1 lightweight vs. unranked)
(WBC
lightweight belt)
(HBO) Seth Mitchell (25-0-1) vs. Johnathon Banks (28-1-1)
Johnathon
Banks – Detroit
native will go down in history as the last true Kronk Gym product with the passing
of mentor Emanuel Steward. But this undersized heavyweight has to work hard for
knockouts synonymous with the Kronk brand. At age 16, Banks came to Steward,
who took him under his wings like so many others to serve as a trainer and
father figure. Established a stellar amateur résumé, winning the U.S Nationals
light heavyweight title three times, but like in his pro career, faltered at
the biggest hurdles not making the Olympic team. Rounded into a smallish
heavyweight at 6′3″ with a 76-inch reach and evenly distributed weight entering
at around 220 pounds. One of those boxers who does everything well but nothing
great and learned those basics at the knee of now-late Hall of Fame trainer Steward.
So much so that he became Steward’s assistant trainer, tutoring many world-class
boxers and has now taken over as head trainer to World Heavyweight Champion
Wladimir Klitschko. In two televised appearances, Banks made a favorable
impression, overcoming a pair of first-round knockdowns against Eliseo Castillo
to mount a furious rally, stopping Castillo in the fourth round of a
mini-classic. In other TV fight, lost to then underappreciated Tomasz Adamek
but was boxing well and within a point on two scorecards when caught by an
unseen right hand he never recovered from and was stopped by the swarming
Adamek. After that setback, largely disappeared but has not lost since
registering wins in Germany (five times), Switzerland, Poland, and America
(twice). Evaluated himself fairly to a U.K. boxing site, “I think that it’s my
awareness in the ring. Along with my speed, power as well as my movement.” At
age 30, time and opportunities are running out, even though Banks sees what it
takes to become a champion, training and sparring hundreds of rounds with the
Klitschko brothers. Despite good record, has not beaten a top 10 foe and seems
to lack a sense of urgency as if Banks is simply continuing his sparring
sessions instead of fighting for a paycheck. Talks as if that is a thing of the
past and that Banks understands this is his only real chance to become a
champion in his own right. “I’ll prove what a true boxer at the highest level
can do against a football player.”
Seth
Mitchell – I
should love a heavyweight nicknamed “Mayhem” but remain skeptical of “athletes”
who come to boxing after they can no longer compete at the highest level of
their favorite sports. Mitchell played football for Michigan State before knee
injuries ended his gridiron career, still graduating with a degree in criminal
justice. Is now putting that degree to good use chasing down bad boxers in the
ring. I must admit that after initial cynicism, I am coming around and noticing
the boxing intuition others have inferred upon Mitchell. At 6’2” with a rock
solid 240-pound body, he has the size and seems to have an affinity for boxing,
turning pro after only 10 amateur bouts. Unlike other American upstarts, does
not lack enthusiasm in the gym and only once disappointed on the scales, coming
in at over 250 pounds. At 30, Mitchell is not playing catch-up, as far as his
age (many heavies mature later now), and now has 81 rounds of ring experience
and repetition to aid him. Knocked out his last 10 opponents and more
impressively, his competition was elevated in that period. Mitchell maintains a
good schedule, averaging five fights a year since 2009 and says his team is
trying to work more on countering off his defense in recent bouts. Faced a good
selection of styles to ready him for the cerebral European boxers Americans
need to stare down on the world stage. Mitchell has excellent hand speed but
when the adrenaline kicks in, his punches can loop thus lessening their impact.
Puts in much better bodywork than the average heavy but, again, sends his shots
a bit wide and without expert technique born of repetition. A powerful puncher
whose admirable balance and ability to get close with his feet doubles the
impact of blows. Covers up well on defense, even incorporating the now-popular
hiding of the chin behind the lead shoulder and has shown good parrying form.
Gone six and eight rounds with no problems but Mitchell’s stamina remains a
question mark. Mitchell’s willingness to learn from others is not, “I watch
tape on fights just to pick up different things to add to my boxing craft. My
favorite fighter right now is Miguel Cotto.” Hall-of-Famer trainer Lou Duva
made an insightful point about Mitchell, “When I found out that Seth has only
been fighting competitively for eight months [at the time], I nearly hit the
floor. No one develops that quickly unless he has God-given talents.”
Verdict
– How
focused can Banks be given his training of Wladimir Klitschko, the recent
passing of his mentor Emanuel Steward and all the intercontinental travel Banks
has undertaken the last week? It took a concerted effort by an intelligently
boxing Adamek to knock out Banks and I would not be surprised if Banks is
leading at the time of being stopped. But stopped is what Banks will be and
given his out-of-the-ring schedule, I think earlier rather than later. Mitchell
wears on physically weaker foes and Banks gets into trouble staying in range
too long trying to throw combinations. Banks does not have the power to hurt Mitchell
either and lacks the legs to stay away for longer than half the fight. In the
fifth round, Banks is dropped and unable to hold or move out of harm’s way and is
rescued from Mitchell’s follow-up along the ropes by the referee.
Adrien
Broner – Cincinnati
produced great fighters like Aaron Pryor, Freddie Miller, Ezzard Charles and
Tim Austin. Adrien Broner wants his name added to that roster of greats.
Started boxing at age six, winning a national Silver Gloves tourney and, more
importantly, sparred against three-time Olympian Rau’shee Warren every day.
Success eluded Broner at senior tourneys but he was always a difficult out with
nearly 300 amateur bouts to his credit. A speed-burner with excellent defensive
reflexes, Broner has shown an ability to use that speed on offense, knocking
out 20 of 24 opponents. Improves continuously in every facet because of a
gym-rat work ethic and his father’s presence as trainer has not been a
detriment. Another animal comparative is a peacock and Broner’s prancing
assuredness pays off for fans when he takes daring chances to make himself look
great. This cockiness (claiming his ring I.Q. is an equivalent of Einstein's)
rubs some the wrong way but ensures Broner isn’t lost in Golden Boy’s large
stable. I emphasize that speed is a lynchpin of Broner’s game; however, it is
not his sole attribute since Broner sports ring presence well beyond his 23
years. That shows on defense, rarely squaring up to an opponent while employing
a Mayweather-style shoulder roll to protect himself. Broner wants to
incorporate angles and jab more, aiding himself as he matures and inevitably
meets someone equally fast. An aggressive nature, the Daniel Ponce de Leon bout
aside, reminds of Andre Berto sprinkled with a little bit of Pernell Whitaker.
Well-timed rapid combinations are Broner’s hallmark, his hooks looping at
times, lessening the impact but still arrive with astonishing swiftness.
Possesses killer instinct and his legs’ wide stance could be a problem when
Broner faces a slick champion or veteran mover. Nicknamed “The Problem”; like
other precocious and immature young men, Broner has overcome problems with the
law. At 5’7”, is an average size lightweight but has a lot of bulk in the upper
body that translates into underrated punching power. Broner stopped 14 of his
last 15 opponents with only a disputed decision over the rejuvenated Ponce de
Leon breaking up his streak. That close points victory lacked refinement and
aggression. Subsequently, Broner reassured many taking out Jason Litzau (TKO 1)
and undefeated Eloy Perez in less than five rounds. Broner needs more of that
tonight given a lack of fan approval to date and their tendency to look at
Broner’s post-fight antics more than what he accomplishes in the ring.
Antonio
DeMarco - Tijuana
thunderbolt has a fan-friendly style and many watched DeMarco progress from a
“ShoBox” prospect to a full-fledged champion over a series of exciting fights.
Aside from a forgivable loss to ill-fated Edwin Valero, a majority decision
loss in DeMarco’s ninth fight remains his only setback. Proved he could deal
with smart boxers by upsetting Jorge Linares, absorbing early punishment before
rallying to cut and swell up Linares before stopping him in 11 furious rounds.
It’s become DeMarco’s blueprint, starting slow before picking up on foes’
mistakes and exploiting them with long punches that carry power into the late
rounds. Grew up in a boxing family (cousin is former champion Humberto Soto)
but had limited amateur experience, honing his craft in gyms before turning pro
at 17. DeMarco was moved well, upping the level of opposition incrementally,
his team providing good fighters with divergent styles for him to dissect. The
converted southpaw commits to an attacking style, even when pushed backward by Valero’s
physicality and Linares’ intelligence. DeMarco still stopped both in their
tracks at times with well-timed counterpunches. Because of his action style,
the 26-year-old’s mental improvement (a young veteran with 151 rounds to his
credit) is underrated with DeMarco using his elongated frame (5’10” with
71-inch reach) better on offense and defense in last two years. The jab has
come to the forefront but too often DeMarco abandons it in favor of eating a
punch to land his own double hook. Against Valero that spelled doom but DeMarco
refused to go down without a fight, often throwing simultaneously with his
vicious-punching opponent. There is a concern that the tough rounds are leaving
lasting scars and took many miles off DeMarco’s boxing odometer. Has the stamina
to go the distance and defense has shown a slight improvement in terms of
DeMarco keeping his hands high and maintaining distance. In spots, DeMarco
looks unconvincing in the trenches and too willing to accept clinches, his thin
upper body lacking the brute force to push off maulers. In his last two fights,
against countryman Miguel Roman and mauling John Molina, opponents were sent
face-first to the canvas by perfect hooks. DeMarco enters fights with a great
attitude toward the sport - as well as fans - delivering action and a sense of
an imminent explosion. “I hope to give them a great show. I want to conquer the
people there and make them fans of the sport with my style and skills.”
Verdict – Broner’s speed is the
key separator but he can also use his legs and superior upper body strength to
push DeMarco backward, exposing his defensive flaws. To date, DeMarco has been
able absorb punishment early and rally late but I do not think DeMarco can do
that with the combination of speed and power Broner possesses. Look for Broner
to start quickly, weaving under DeMarco’s straight right hand and jabs, scoring
quick counters and lead rights. DeMarco will be rocked and dropped in the
middle rounds but strikes back against an onrushing Broner, showing he remains
dangerous and recovers his senses fast. Broner’s fast hands take over from that
point though, keeping DeMarco off balance and unable to come at Broner in
straight lines as he prefers. There may be a championship round knockdown but
DeMarco shows his toughness again lasting the distance. The lopsided final
scores because of knockdowns will not be indicative of the entertaining nature
of the fight.
Prediction record for 2012:
84% (115-22)
Prediction
record in 2011: 88% (138-19)
Prediction
record in 2010: 85% (218-40)
