HBO Boxing: Ponce De Leon vs. Broner March 5 In Anaheim

Former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon and undefeated prospect Adrien “The Problem” Broner are set for battle in an intriguing ten round junior lightweight showdown in the co-featured bout on Saturday, March 5, live from Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

The event is headlined by Mexican phenom Saul “Canelo” Alvarez squaring off against England’s Matthew “Magic” Hatton. HBO will televise the doubleheader as part of their Boxing After Dark series beginning at 10:30pm ET/PT.

“De Leon vs. Broner is the type of fight that Boxing After Dark is known for and I know both of these fighters are coming to Anaheim to put on a show on March 5,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.

“With De Leon looking to repel the challenge of a hungry, young, undefeated prospect and Broner trying to make an impression against a poised, hard-hitting, former World Champion under the bright HBO lights, both fighters are looking to prove a point in this one…that’s what always makes for great fights.”

“Broner is a big, strong fighter with an exciting style,” said De Leon. “But I’m ready for the challenge and I know he’s never been in with a fighter as strong and experienced as I am.”

“De Leon is a great fighter, a former world champion and I respect him for stepping up for this fight,” said Broner. “Unfortunately for him, I’m going to have to show him what it’s like to be in the ring with a talent like myself.”

“Having the Daniel Ponce De Leon- Adrien Broner as the undercard of Saul Alvarez-Mathew Hatton as the main event, is sure to make for a great night of TV action for fight fans,” said Kery Davis, SVP programming HBO Sports.

Former Junior Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (41-2, 34 KO’s) has long been praised as pound for pound one of the hardest punchers in the game.

Now approaching his 10th year as a professional, the 30-year-old from Cuauhtemoc, Mexico is hitting his physical prime. With seven consecutive wins, including a “Knockout of the Year” candidate against Antonio Escalante last September, he’s eager to take on the challenge of Broner.

A native of the boxing-rich city of Cincinnati, Ohio, 21-year-old Adrien “The Problem” Broner (19-0, 16 KO’s) has taken no prisoners on his journey up the fistic ladder. He went 6-0 in 2010, with all six wins coming by knockout, causing some to consider him to the hardest-hitting prospect in the game today.

Ten of his victories have come in two rounds or less proving not only is he flashy and exciting, but he’s also brutally efficient. Brimming with the confidence of a seasoned veteran, the young Broner feels he has what it takes defeat his toughest opponent to date in De Leon.

The stage is now set for one of the most explosive showdowns of early 2011.

Alvarez vs. Hatton, a 12 round junior middleweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and Hatton Promotions.

De Leon vs. Broner, a 10 round junior lightweight fight, is presented by Golden Boy Promotion in association with R & R Promotions. The event is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, DeWalt Tools and Tres Generaciones. HBO will televise the doubleheader as part of their Boxing After Dark series beginning at 10:30pm ET/PT

Tickets, priced at $200, $125, $75, $50 and $25, are on sale now and available for purchase at all Ticketmaster locations, online at ticketmaster.com and via charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000 and at the Honda Center Box Office.