“Pacquiao’s Got the Biggest Name”
Over the past few weeks, Shawn “Showtime” Porter (30-3-1, 17 KO’s) has had his name handcuffed to his friend and WBO world welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (36-0, 27 KO’s). In general, a significant chunk of the boxing world is all hot and bothered over the notion of Crawford staging a dust-up with WBC and IBF world welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (26-0, 21 KO’s).
Yet, after the Truth suffered a near tragic automobile accident, that fight is now more uncertain than ever. In an effort to roll with the punches though, a bout between Crawford and Porter has been deemed ‘the next best thing’.
The trouble with idea is the fact that neither Bud nor Showtime appear overly interested in dancing with one another. In fact, Porter would much rather obtain a rematch with Spence than chuck knuckles with his Nebraskan chum. So, at the moment, a fight pitting Spence against Shawn Porter is just as dubious as one with Crawford.
That does not mean that Porter doesn’t have his mind focused on another super fight.
THE PAC MAN PROPOSITION
Provided that the craved rematch with Spence does not come to reality, the Porters would really enjoy getting a shot at WBA super world welterweight champion Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO’s). This is not a new wish. Showtime has expressed an interest in facing Pac Man for years upon years. Nor is wanting to lock horns with the combative politician a flight of mere fancy.
When Pac Man was preparing for Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley, Porter served as his chief sparring partner. Even though Showtime was only about 21 years old at the time, he more than showed his worth and ability. After playing assistant in those camps, the Ohio native has gone on to put together one stellar resume. There is no denying that Porter has faced many of the greatest welterweights of this era.
Ever since acquiring this valuable and meaningful firsthand experience, Showtime has sought to face Pacquiao in a legitimate professional prizefight. Not only has this bout been on his radar for roughly ten years, being that he has the bigger name, Team Porter feels that Pac Man represents a bigger payday and is more meaningful legacy-wise.
“Pacquiao’s got the biggest name, the next thing other than Pacquiao, to us, is Errol Spence. You know, we want to fight Errol. Obviously Errol has a situation he’s got to overcome, you know, being off from that. Nobody is in a certain order, but I’m just talking about Pacquiao being that big name. I know that Spence is a great fight for the rematch and of course there is the Bud Crawford fight.” ~Kenny Porter, Shawn Porter’s chief second and father
By: Bakari Simpson
