Shawn Porter: 'Every fight is a must-win'
Two fights removed from losing his welterweight title, Shawn Porter continues his comeback into contention with the highest-profile test of his career.
Broner-Porter
Where: MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas
When: Saturday
TV: NBC, 8:30 p.m. ET
Porter (25-1-1, 16 KOs) will face former three-division titlist Adrien Broner (30-1, 22 KOs) on Saturday in a Premier Boxing Champions main event at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas (NBC, 8:30 p.m. ET).
This pairing between Ohio natives will be contested at a catchweight of 144 pounds. Porter, 27, who turned pro as a super middleweight, will be fighting at the lowest weight of his career.
Looking to rebound from his 2014 defeat to Kell Brook by majority decision, Porter recently spoke with ESPN.com about what's at stake against Broner.
This fight is being sold as the "Battle of Ohio." How much does that element add to your motivation?
"Even though that's how it's being sold, I don't look at it that way. We are both world-class fighters, so in some ways we are even better than Cleveland and Cincinnati. It's a lot bigger than that right now."
What did you see at the press conference when you looked into his eyes during the final staredown?
"He had sunglasses on so I couldn't see his eyes, but it doesn't matter to me. He can see I meant business and he knows it."
When I talked with Broner he refused to elaborate on why a catchweight was necessary. From your perspective, was your agreeing to that the only way this fight was going to get made?
"As far as I know, that's the only way this fight was going to get made -- if we agreed to a catchweight. In some ways I feel like it doesn't need to be talked about because I'm going to have to do what I'm going to have to do. I wasn't the one that obviously made that stipulation, that was him. So someone has to ask him why he wants that."
Considering Broner is a former titlist in your division, how much does him asking for a catchweight rub you the wrong way?
"That makes sense. I never even thought about it like that. But I just kind of understand that he's a bit spoiled and used to getting what he wants. I'm a big, powerful and strong guy and he's just trying to gain any advantage possible to pain me and win the fight."
Looking back at your resume, it was surprising to see you turned pro at 165 pounds and have worked your way down in weight. What was the reason for that?
"I fought in the amateurs at 165 and then when we turned pro initially, 154 was where we wanted to become a champion. But Manny Pacquiao was making a lot of noise at welterweight and obviously Floyd Mayweather was doing his thing, so my dad said that if I'm really going to be successful at this, we need to get to 147. So way back in 2011, my dad saw what the move to 147 could do for us and right now it has helped us summon one of the biggest fights of the year so far."
Broner doesn't always get the respect he deserves because of his clown-prince demeanor. But what did the ease in which he outboxed John Molina Jr. in March show you about his true skillset?
"It actually showed me what I already knew, which is that he could box and box very well. When he fought Marcos Maidana, it was almost like, 'Why are you doing this? Why aren't you doing what you need to be doing?' So I don't know what was going through his mind at the time, but obviously he went to the drawing board and fixed it and he had a great showing against Molina. We're looking to come in with some speed and some quickness to offset his speed and boxing ability. And also we are going to try and use some power to slow him down and get him out."
How necessary is it for you to get him to stand and trade?
"It's definitely necessary. If he's standing and trading, that's 100 percent our game. You want that at some point in the fight in order to do what you came here to do."
Critics seemed to turn on you after your loss to Kell Brook, calling you one-dimensional. How important is it for you to erase that?
"I just want to prove that I'm not one-dimensional. I think that's too simple and there's nothing simple about me. I'm just very different and very classy at all times. I think if you look at me and say this kid is one-dimensional then obviously you don't know me or haven't seen what I am capable of doing. It's not really so much of a motivator, but let me know I need to get the job done."
You bounced back to blow away late-replacement Erick Bone by fifth-round knockout in March. Coming off your first defeat, what did you show that needed to be shown in that fight?
"That kid was strong and was ready to fight. I graded myself a B-minus and my dad said A-plus. I knew that there was still work to be done and we have put that work in at the gym so far. We will be ready."
The father-son dynamic as fighter and trainer can be a hit-or-miss thing. Why does it work so well for you and your father Kenny?
"It's a complete fit for us and I think it's just because we have an understanding and we have developed something that works for us. He tells me what to do and I listen. I don't get a big head. I don't feel like I'm too big or too old or anything to be coached or corrected or managed or trained. I think that's mostly why it works."
There's no title on the line in this fight, so what's at stake for you in regards to your future?
"Every fight is a must-win for both sides, but obviously beating an Adrien Broner, who is one of the biggest names in boxing, it's almost like you step into that slot as one of the big names of boxing."
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