Boxing: Shawn Porter Ready To Become Champion Again

Shawn Porter will face off against Danny Garcia on Saturday, September 8 for the vacant WBC welterweight title on Showtime. The event takes place from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Porter picked up two victories last year, besting Adriano Granados for the WBC silver welterweight crown and Andre Berto. He suffered a decision loss in 2016 to Keith Thurman for the WBA welterweight championship.

“I love being in training camp and grinding every day. We’re just 100 percent focused on what we have to do. I’m seasoned enough where I know how to excel through these stages of camp. I feel great,” Porter said. “We always work on the jab to start our training session. Everyone knows that everything I do comes off of my jab. It’s all about the fundamentals. My dad is smart and knows my athletic potential is there. He’s focused on all the technical and strategic parts of the game.

“Whether we look to box or not will be a game-time decision. We’ll have to read the fight. I think we’re going to start trying to mix it up and then take it from there. It’s up to me to see the adjustments and make them. Whatever it takes to win this fight, I am prepared to do it.”

Overall, Porter is 28-2-1 in his career, with his only other loss coming to Kell Brook. He owns wins over Adrien Broner, Paulie Maglignaggi and Devon Alexander.

“Danny’s counter-punching I think plays into my hands. I’m a combination puncher. There’s more than one coming. If there is only one coming, you don’t know where it’s coming from. I think it’s going to take care of Danny’s strength, but I don’t take it lightly. I know that he’s a strong fighter and that’s what I expect in the ring,” he said. “I don’t believe that he’s going to stand toe-to-toe with me, but I do believe that’s where he thinks he can win the fight. The point is to hit and not get hit, so we’ll try to keep it as clean as possible. It gets rough in there sometimes, but if you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.

“Once upon a time I probably would have that thought that I could just beat Danny with activity. But I know that I have to be sharp, precise and land most of my punches. I want to throw 60 a round and land 40 percent.”