Adrien Broner KOs DeMarco, 3 Fights He Should Pursue Next

Adrien Broner has captured the WBC lightweight world championship after demolishing former champion Antonio DeMarco, in eight rounds.

Now comes the really hard part: finding an appealing opponent for Broner.

Broner is fast, skilled and powerful. He throws great combinations and defends well. Not many current champs will be interested in facing such a dangerous young fighter, but here's a list of those who may take the fight.

Ricky Burns (35-2, 10 KO)

Ricky Burns is the WBO lightweight champion and a popular British fighter. His fourth-round knockout victory over Kevin Mitchell is the type of signature win that puts fighters on the map.

He was scheduled to face Liam Walsh before Walsh suffered an accident. His schedule's cleared for Broner now. Both fighters have no one else whom they can make as much money against as each other.

To make this fight easier to make, a confident Broner can even cross the pond to face Burns in the U.K. for what would certainly be a sold-out barn-burner.

Lucas Matthysse (32-2, 30 KO)

Since Broner loves holding the WBC belt, he could move up to face another WBC champion, Lucas Matthysse.

As a fighter who's always looking for a fight, Matthysse should be more than happy to defend his interim WBC light welterweight world title versus Broner. Golden Boy promotes both fighters, which could help make the fight happen.

Bad Left Hook reported that WBA champ Danny Garcia has brushed off a Matthysse fight in favor of a Zab Judah bout in January. If Broner can beat the hard-hitting, intelligent Matthysse, maybe he'll catch Garcia's eye.

Nov. 24 Winner of Robert Guerrero (30-1-1, 18 KO) vs. Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KO)

Broner has indicated in an interview with Ring Magazine that he would have "tunnel vision" if he ever fought Mayweather.

Boxing is only four years removed from 135-lb champ Manny Pacquiao's demolition of former welterweight champ Oscar De La Hoya in a non-title welterweight superfight.

Pacquiao caught De La Hoya at the end of his career and retired him. His career took off to financial and critical heights it had never seen.

Broner may love Floyd Mayweather, as evidenced by his obvious imitation of his style and mannerisms, but the quickest way to become boxing's next big star is to defeat an aging Mayweather.

The best way to lure Mayweather is to be impressive against a high-profile welterweight. The most obvious welterweight who would likely chomp at the bit to fight him is the winner of Guerrero vs. Berto.

Robert Guerrero and Broner have already traded words on Twitter and in person, according to Bad Left Hook.

Broner has the physique to make a fight with Guerrero work since Guerrero is barely a welterweight. Should Berto brutalize Guerrero, Broner will have to consider if his speed and skill can make the difference.

If he believes so, then Berto vs. Broner could bear the fruits of an HBO pay-per-view. With two prime, black American fighters talking trash in front of the 24/7 cameras, the fight's selling potential is endless.

To Mayweather or Not to Mayweather, That Is the Question

Mayweather is a living legend. Defeating him, despite the near 13-year age gap, would earn Broner kudos and awards from not just the boxing world, but the casual fans as well.

Broner would also inherit the ability to draw a million pay-per-view buyers with his every fight. That's riches galore and plenty of years to earn as much as he'd like.

The problem is whether Mayweather is actually going to fade enough for a still-maturing Broner to beat. Broner is only getting better with each fight, but he's only 23 years old.

Mayweather, even at 35, could still move up a weight division and win eight rounds to four against Miguel Cotto, one of the best fighters still competing.

Against Broner, Mayweather will enjoy a size advantage, as he has had more time to settle into the weight. Mayweather has also faced a plethora of talented fighters who would demolish anyone Broner has ever faced.

While it's nice to dream, some dreams are never meant for reality. Mayweather vs. Broner may be just that, a dream that's best kept in the imagination.

For more boxing news and analysis, follow me on Twitter @justindavidtate.