According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former world champions Adrien Broner, Lucas Matthysse and Andre Berto will appear on a fight card in Broner’s hometown of Cincinnati on September 6 on Showtime.
Broner will face Emanuel Taylor in a scheduled 12-round bout, Golden Boy Promotions said on Thursday. Matthysse will appear in the 10-round co-feature against Roberto Ortiz. Berto will face an opponent to be named.
“Adrien Broner is a top-level talent who always elevates his game on the biggest stages, and there is never a bigger stage than in front of your hometown fans,” Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya said. “But with speed, power and a golden opportunity, Emmanuel Taylor is a tough test. This is a life-changing fight for him, which makes him particularly dangerous.”
“It’s always good to fight at home. It is overdue and I will never disappoint my Cincinnati fans. I’ll make sure to put on a good show for them,” said Broner, who last fought at home in July 2012, also at the U.S. Bank Arena, when he failed to make weight for a junior lightweight title defense and knocked out Vicente Escobedo in a nontitle match. “Taylor is a young, talented fighter, but he’s not ready to solve this ‘Problem’ yet.”
“This is the biggest fight of my career, and I won’t let it get away from me,” Taylor said. “All of those hours in the gym were for a moment like this, and I can’t wait to show the world what I can do in the ring.”
“The title is my only goal, and to get there, I have to beat Ortiz,” Matthysse said. “I’ve heard that he’s a tough fighter, but I’m not worried about him. I just have to make sure I’m ready.
“I respect Lucas Matthysse and know how dangerous he is, but this is my time to make a statement, and I will on Sept. 6,” Ortiz said. “I see holes in his game and I think I’m the better all-around fighter. The world will see that very soon.”
Added De La Hoya, “In the co-main event, one of the hardest punchers in the game, Lucas Matthysse, will also have to dig deep to win when he fights Roberto Ortiz. The winner of this fight should be right in line for a title shot in 2015.”
“It’s been a long time and I can’t wait to get back in the ring on Sept. 6,” Berto said. “I feel stronger and better than ever, and I’m ready to make another run at the title. But first I have business to take care of in Cincinnati, and I’ll be looking for the knockout.”
