Shawn Porter has learned from the past, ready for challenge of Keith Thurman
Shawn Porter has learned from his previous loss in a title fight and with extra preparation time is ready go on Saturday
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4 min read
Shawn Porter (26-1-1, 16 KOs) will face Keith Thurman (26-0, 22 KOs) on Saturday night for Thurman's WBA welterweight title on CBS. For Porter, it's a chance to earn his second world title in the welterweight division -- he formerly held the IBF welterweight title -- and re-assert himself as one of the best at 147 pounds.
Porter was a rising star in the division and won the IBF title in 2013, defending it successfully twice before losing it by majority decision to Kell Brook in 2014, who still retains the belt. The loss was the first of Porter's career and since he has won his last two bouts, including a unanimous decision over Adrien Broner last June.
Since his win over Broner, Porter has been waiting patiently for this opportunity against Thurman. Their bout was originally scheduled for March, but was pushed back to this Saturday following a car accident that injured Thurman. It will have been 370 days since his last fight when he steps in the ring on Saturday, but Porter insists that the long layoff has been nothing but positive for his preparation for Thurman, giving him more time to create a game plan for the hard-hitting champion.
On Tuesday, Porter spoke with CBS Sports about facing Thurman, the state of the welterweight division, what this fight can mean for his future and the Cavs championship.
CBS Sports' Robby Kalland: How are you feeling with just days before the fight?
Shawn Porter: I'm really excited. You know, I've been anticipating this fight for a long time and I just feel very good. I feel blessed and I'm happy right now, which is a great thing. We just finished up at the gym, got a little shakeout in today and that's all we'll do. We'll finish up with some media, maybe shakeout a little bit more and be ready for the weigh-in and the fight.
CBS Sports: What was the added layoff like for you and how has it affected your preparation?
Porter: At this point, I can say that it's only affected my preparation 100 percent in a positive way. I was able to focus more into game planning more and train more and train harder and be more prepared than I was before. I'm happy that this fight got moved to June 25 and it's been a blessing.
CBS Sports: So you don't have any concerns about ring rust after being out of the ring for a year in a competitive bout?
Porter: No. Ring rust is a myth.
CBS Sports: Having more time to prepare and having more time to look at Thurman, is there anything that you see yourself having an advantage in on Saturday night?
Porter: That's nothing I want to say over the phone, but what I'll say is that I'll be more prepared than I was the first time.
CBS Sports: You often hear that boxers learn the most from their losses. Is there anything you took from your loss to [Kell] Brook that has made you a better fighter in your recent bouts?
Porter: Sure. I would say 100 percent the mentality I have in the ring during the fight. I understand in boxing you have to make adjustments and adjustments weren't made, that was on my behalf, and that's something I've learned. You know, it's self explanatory that it comes from the corner, but also implementing and being focused on the game plan is something that will be key for me in this fight.
CBS Sports: How much confidence did you gain from your win over Broner and did you feel like you made a statement in that fight?
Porter: You know what, each fight I just kinda prove something to myself and I think that's what happened in with the Broner fight. Not necessarily coming out of the fight with more confidence, but reassuring myself that the boxing skills were there and that's what works for me and that's what I'm taking from this fight.
CBS Sports: In the welterweight division now there's a lot of good, young talent, but not the definitive star that it had with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. How big would a win on Saturday be for you in asserting yourself in that conversation in the division?
Porter: It's humongous. Right behind Mayweather-Pacquiao comes Porter-Thurman. We know who won that fight and we're waiting to find out who wins this one. I think the way Mayweather established his greatness by beating Pacquiao is the same way I'll establish my greatness by beating Thurman.
CBS Sports: This isn't your first fight on network TV -- your last fight with Broner was on NBC. How much do you like having the added spotlight and the added amount of people that can watch you in a different venue than we've seen boxing have in recent years?
Porter: Well, you know what, I love it. I love it. Cleveland has a new crowned champion in the Cleveland Cavaliers, and most people think that's our first champion in 52 years, but what they don't realize is that I was world champion a few years ago. It doesn't bother me, but it was on Showtime. Having this fight on CBS brings it to a larger audience and I'm sure that everyone in Cleveland will know that there's a second world champion in the city come June 25.
CBS Sports: How excited were you about that Cavs win?
Porter: It was awesome. Most people thought I would've been jumping up and down and screaming. I was full of joy and definitely teared up seeing the way LeBron reacted as the buzzer came, but along with that I know I have a job to do. So, I'll jump up and down after my turn. Until that time, I was full of joy and happiness, I wasn't over the top happy because I know I have a job to do on Saturday.
