By Jake Donovan

Unbeaten super featherweight Adrien Broner became the latest chapter in the rich history of boxing in Cincinnati, becoming the seventh fighter from Queen City to advance to championship status.

While a long way from the likes of Ezzard Charles and Aaron Pryor before him, a new era has begun for Cincinnati’s latest future great. The honor came in front of his home crowd at the US Bank Arena as he easily dispatched Argentine contender Vicente Martin Rodrguez in a bout that served as the opening leg of a split site doubleheader on HBO.

The official time was 1:43 of the third round in their vacant title fight.

Broner came out all business in the opening round, hoping to build on the momentum spilled over from his one-round blitzing of Jason Litzau this past June. Rodriguez proved to be durable, even scoring with an occasional left hand. Neither fighter seemed bothered by the other’s punching power, though Broner’s hand speed advantage was massive and also the key to his success.

Rodriguez enjoyed mild success in the second round, though only in that he was more aggressive. Broner wisely covered up while avoiding most of the incoming, incorporating an uppercut into his attack whenever Rodriguez came in wild up top.

The ultimate weapon of choice was Broner’s left hook, which battered and bloodied Rodriguez and eventually put him away. The third round was viciously one-sided, with blood spouting from Rodrigueez’ nose before being put out of his misery courtesy of a left hook after landing at least three uppercuts beforehand.

As the count was issued, Rodriguez sat on the bottom rope, all too content to remain on the deck. Referee Frank Garza reached the count of ten, to signal the beginning of Broner’s championship reign.

“I dreamed of this, and I put on a great performance,” insisted Broner, who improves to 22-0 (18KO). “I told my dad when I was six that I’d become a world champion. November 26, I am now a world champion.”

The win was Broner’s fourth of 2011 and third straight HBO-televised appearance. All have come on cards headlined by Saul Alvarez, who faces Kermit Cintron in Mexico City later this evening.

Rodriguez falls to 34-3-1 (19KO) with the loss. The bout was his first in the United States and just his second outside of his native Argentina. He has failed miserably in both attempts and most likely will never again be heard from on the contender level.

There will be plenty of noise coming from Broner’s world, for sure. The Cincinnati boxer enters the title ranks at a time when the 130 lb. division is threatening to take off.

“I’m ready to move forward. The sky is the limit. We’re going to the drawing board with Al Haymon and Golden Boy Promotions, my promoter, and see what’s next.”

Whatever the case, the future is bright for Broner, on a night after joining elite members of his city’s rich past.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com