Adrien Broner's trainer Mike Stafford isn't going to disrespect WBC lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco, who is still reportedly "close" to a November 17 HBO fight with Broner in Atlantic City, but he believes his fighter has the style to win a title in a second weight class at the age of 23:

“DeMarco’s a good fighter, and he showed he can punch a little bit, but I think [Broner] has that speed, and I think eventually he’ll overwhelm him."

Broner (24-0, 20 KO) last fought in July, beating Vicente Escobedo with ease, but also stirring the media and fan hornet's nest by missing weight, making no qualms about the fact that he really didn't try, and then getting Al Haymon to pay Escobedo enough to go through with the fight anyway.

[ Related: DeMarco won't fight overweight Broner ]

A fight with DeMarco (28-2-1, 17 KO) figures to be a little tougher, but whatever you think of Broner, there's no denying that he's got talent to burn. And it's a terrific matchup that should happen, and deserves its main event status.

As for the fight getting done, there seem to be no issues to date -- both sides sound ready, and it's basically about getting the paperwork finished. But we've certainly seen fights fall apart last minute before, and if this one does, and it's not Shaw or DeMarco balking, Broner's going to meet a lot more criticism than he did for not being able to look Robert Guerrero in the eyes.