By Keith Idec

Adrien Broner’s ability, confidence and flamboyance have elicited countless comparisons to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The 22-year-old Broner is flattered, but he isn’t consumed with becoming boxing’s next Mayweather.

“A lot of people are saying I am the next Mayweather, but look, I’m going to clear it up,” Broner said. “Mayweather, he has his own legacy and I’m my own man. I don’t ride off other people’s names. I respect him to the fullest. I learned a lot off just watching him. He’s a great guy.

“But I’m going to do what I do, and that’s being Adrien Broner. I’m going to build my own empire. We’re not going to worry about that. All respect to him, but we’re trying to get to where he’s at. I’m going to do what Adrien Broner do.”

Cincinnati’s Broner (22-0, 18 KOs) has recorded impressive knockout victories in his last two fights, following a lackluster, safe performance in a 10-round, unanimous decision win over Daniel Ponce De Leon (42-4, 35 KOs) last March 5 in Anaheim, Calif. “The Problem” will try to register his third straight knockout Saturday night against undefeated Eloy Perez (23-0-2, 7 KOs, 1 NC), of Salinas, Calif.

Their 12-round fight for Broner’s WBO super featherweight title will open HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” doubleheader from Scottrade Center in St. Louis (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). Hometown hero Devon Alexander (22-1, 13 KOs) will box against Argentine power puncher Marcos Maidana (31-2, 28 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Alexander and Maidana, both former 140-pound champions, have moved up to welterweight for this fight.

Keith Idec covers boxing for the Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com.