Shawn Porter Overflowing With Confidence in Upcoming Showdown With Terence Crawford
It’s been known for some time that WBO world welterweight champ Terence Crawford will (37-0, 28 KOs) next fight against mandatory challenger and former two-time 147-pound world champ Shawn Porter (31-3-1, 17 KOs). On September 29, Top Rank made one of the worst-kept secrets official. They announced that the contest is going to happen on November 20 at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This highly-anticipated showdown will air live on ESPN+ PPV.
TIME TO SHOW AND PROVE
In concert with the announcement, Crawford and Porter appeared on the ESPN2 show, Get Up. Fans have been critical of Crawford for not facing an elite fighter since his move up to welterweight in 2018. He currently sits at #6 in the 3KingsBoxing Top Ten fighters. The 34-year-old discussed the significance of this fight with host Mike Greenberg.
“What does it mean to face Shawn right now is putting that little extra stamp on being considered the best welterweight in the division. Shawn Porter has fought everybody in the division… so, Shawn’s been in there with everybody, and I felt like now’s the time for these other welterweights to step up, and he’s the one that’s stepped up.”
MORE THAN READY
Indeed, Porter has been a mainstay in the division for years. Facing the likes of current unified IBF/WBC world champ Errol Spence Jr, WBA champ Yordenis Ugas, and former champions Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman, “Showtime” is tested and hardened.
Porter was the one who called for the fight against Crawford. He has even gone on the record and guaranteed victory. Confident to the core, the 33-year-old explained that film study and the assets he brings to the table are the reason behind his prediction.
“That’s the confidence you’re supposed to bring to the ring. Beyond that, I have looked at his resume. I’ve dissected everybody in the ring with, and I just think that I have a combination of things that no one he’s been in the ring with to this point has had… the confidence, along with the skills, the preparation, everything I do. That’s why I guarantee a victory.”
Crawford went on to say, that in the end, the fans will know why he’s the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. Porter smiled, then saluted the champ and gave a cheeky yet poignant response, “see you later, Bud.”
A FIGHT FAN’S FIGHT
What you have are two of the top fighters in the division squaring off in their primes. For Crawford, this is possibly the toughest test in his career. For Porter, this is the opportunity to prove his greatness. November 20 cannot get here soon enough.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
