Boxing fans will be giving thanks for an explosive night of boxing on Thanksgiving weekend this year when Adrien “The Problem” Broner battles Argentina’s Vicente Rodriguez for the vacant WBO Junior Lightweight World Title on Saturday, November 26 at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio in a fight that will be televised on HBO Boxing After Dark. For Broner, it will be the young undefeated hometown hero’s first shot at a world title, and where better to have it take place than in his backyard with family, friends and hometown fans supporting him. For Rodriguez, it’s the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of countrymen Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez and Marcos “Chino” Maidana and burst onto the world boxing stage by capturing his first world title under the bright HBO lights in his United States debut.
“I’m ready to put on a good performance for my city,” said Broner. “I’m treating this like it’s just another day in the ring. I’m not going to let the world title affect me. Vicente has a tremendous record, but once I get in the ring, I’m going to do what I got to do to get the job done. It’s time to put it on for my city…hook, right, good night!”
“Broner is a talented boxer with good speed and power,” said Rodriguez. “But I have the experience and determination to beat him and I can’t wait to bring the title home to Argentina.”
“We are very excited to bring this special night of boxing to Cincinnati on Thanksgiving weekend,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “We know Broner has the talent and determination to reach his goal of winning a world championship and will not let his fans down on November 26. While he faces a tough customer in Rodriguez, I believe he will become a world champion that will reign over the junior lightweight division for many years to come.”
“We’re excited to have Golden Boy Promotions and HBO come to Cincinnati for this great boxing event,” said Andrew Williams, CEO of R&R Promotions. “We look forward to Adrien winning his first world title at home on November 26.”
“Home for the Holidays: Broner vs. Rodriguez” is a 12-round bout for the vacant WBO Junior Lightweight World Title which will take place Saturday, November 26 at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. The evening of boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and R&R Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and AT&T. The HBO Boxing After Dark telecast will air at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
Tickets, priced at $128, $78, $53 and $28, go on sale Tuesday, October 25 at 10:00 a.m. ET and may be purchased at the U.S. Bank Arena Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Nicknamed “The Problem,” Cincinnati’s Adrien Broner (21-0, 17 KO’s) has proven to be an impossible puzzle for opponents to figure out. The former amateur standout racked up numerous accolades before turning professional in 2008, including winning the prestigious Silver Gloves tournament in 2002 and 2003 and competing in the semifinals of the 2005 Junior Olympics. 22-year-old Broner is the owner of 10 first-round professional knockouts coming as a result of his mix of blazing speed and thudding power. In 2011, he has taken his career to the next level with a decision win over former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in March and a first round stoppage over the always-tough Jason Litzau in June in a pair of HBO televised fights. Now it’s time for the #1 rated WBO junior lightweight contender to attempt to cap off the year by winning his first world championship.
The WBO’s #6 rated junior light weight contender, Vicente Martin Rodriguez (34-2-1, 18 KO’s) of La Salada, Argentina has the power and durability to knock off any opponent who steps in the ring with him. A professional since 2005, the 26-year-old captured the WBO Latino Junior Lightweight belt with a win over Gaston Sellan in May of 2007. He successfully defended his title in December of 2007 against Diego Mora before losing the belt via a 10-round decision loss against unbeaten William Kickett in 2008. Since then, he is unbeaten in 14 fights, going 13-0-1 with nine knockouts. He now sets his sights on making a name for himself in the United States by capturing his first world title at the expense of hometown favorite Broner.
One of boxing’s most revered fight towns, Cincinnati is the home of boxing Hall of Famers such as Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor and Ezzard “The Cincinnati Cobra” Charles as well as former world champions Tony “TNT” Tubbs and Tim “Cincinnati Kid” Austin. The city that was home to the first gloved boxing match in the United States may be best known for its robust amateur scene, one that has produced nine Olympians, including 2000 Silver Medalist Ricardo Williams Jr., 1992 Bronze Medalist Tim Austin and Raushee Warren, a current member of the 2012 United States Olympic squad who made history by also representing his country in the 2004 and 2008 Games. Adrien Broner will now look to add his name to the distinguished list of Queen City natives who have worn a world championship belt on his November 26 which marks Cincinnati’s first world title fight since Tim Austin beat Steve Dotse on June 16, 2001.
