Shawn Porter Fighting with Passion
Many see WBC world welterweight champion Shawn “Showtime” Porter (30-2-1, 17 KO’s) as a significant underdog in his upcoming September 28 unification bout with IBF world welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (25-0, 21 KO’s ). Popular opinion is that Spence is simply the bigger, more technically sound fighter.
The Vegas betting odds, which list Showtime as a 9 to 2 underdog, reinforce this talking point. In fact, as their dance date in the Staple Center races towards us, his betting odds have worsened. Yet, Porter maintains his faith that this is going to be a beneficial and transformative moment for his career.
“But I understand I’m a Christian and I believe in God. I believe that God gives us opportunities and he gives us decisions. I think based on the decisions that we make with that opportunity will suggest whether or not that opportunity becomes a blessing. So when you talk about this opportunity to fight Errol Spence, you talking about this opportunity to unify titles; the opportunity to make history and become a part of some greatness […] the fact of the matter is, this opportunity comes on the 28th and I only have to be one hundred percent one time and I am looking forward to that.”
Neither Showtime, nor his father and trainer Kenny Porter, view the Truth as leaps and bounds superior to him. Regardless of the category, speed, power or skill, the Porter’s know that Shawn and Spence are neck and neck. This belief is bolstered by knowing that the Ohio native will come to the ring in tip-top shape. According to Kenny Porter, his son has maintained some level of physical training for the past solid year.
This fact, as well as his deeper resume at welterweight, is enough to instill the Porters with a calm resolve. At several points in the fights promotion it appeared as if Spence’s slick talk and the cat-calls from numerous fans was earnestly affecting Showtime. As time has worn on, Porter has mellowed out and taken these negatives in stride
This is not the first occasion in which Porter has been challenged or underestimated. So rather than get caught up in betting odds, or the opinions of fans and media, Showtime has focused on making sure that Spence ‘feels him.’ Being the passionate, full throttle fighter that he is it’s important for Porter to know that his opponents are aware of everything that he brings to the table. Thus far he certain that the Truth realizes that he is in for arguably the toughest fight of his career.
However, we must all wait until the dust settles on September 28 to see who the best really is. Yet, no matter who takes home the belts, the fans will be real winners!
“My passion for what I am doing right now is stronger than when I fought Danny Garcia, the passion that I have to win the WBC. I mean that is what you saw really pour out into the ring on fight night. With this, it’s the passion to hold on to that WBC, to give Errol Spence his first loss; to take his IBF title, to prove everybody wrong, to prove the ones who stand by me and trust me, to prove them right. The opportunity to show the best Showtime Shawn Porter you have ever seen ever, you know. So I’m definitely way better than I was last year.” ~Shawn Porter, WBC world welterweight champion
By: Bakari Simpson
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