Is Porter v Spence Turning Nasty?
Every so often in boxing, you will find professional scenarios where friends reluctantly have to lace-up the gloves and trade punches. Such is the case with Shawn “Showtime” Porter (30-2-1, 17 KO’s) and Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (25-0, 21 KO’s). At the moment, the two have a tentative September 28 collision date. However, recently Saul “Canelo” Alvarez pulled out from his traditional Mexican Independence holiday event scheduled for September 14. So now, there is speculation that Porter v Spence may bump up two weeks to fill the open time slot.
FRIENDS TURNED FOES
Regardless of the actual day that they tangle, Spence v Porter is being viewed as one of the most compelling and potentially action-packed prizefights of the year. Beyond the pure entertainment value of the dust-up, the match will also serve as a unification bout and meaningful measure stick for the layout of the 147lbs weight division. The competition level of the two combatants is more than enough backstory to sell the fight. However, the two boxers actually do know and are fond of one another.
Their paths first crossed years ago on the amateur circuit, where they would develop mutual respect. During this time, the two future world champions would also grow close to portions of the others family. Both fighters spoke of this history and kinship on a number of occasions prior to the fight’s signing. Yet, at the moment, it appears that some of this warm sentiment is potentially about to turn into bad blood.
“Anything that’s been said publically about my fight with Errol, all that has been said was by Errol. Errol’s putting his own foot in his mouth. Errol’s picking up things other people have said to him that doesn’t come directly from myself, or my dad. He’s the one that got in the ring the night I beat Danny Garcia and said he wanted to fight me next. Verbatim, ‘I love you, I love your father, but on fight night it’s all about business.’ Well leave it at that. You love me, you love my dad and on fight night it’s all about business, you know. Why we talking now, you know, why we talking about you dress better than me? Why we talking about the job I have could’ve been yours, why are we talking? Let’s stop talking, I’m ready.” ~Shawn Porter, WBC welterweight champion
Although Porter may not care for the feather ruffling jargon, it’s nothing close enough to throw him off his game. Whether boastful talks continue or not, Showtime is anxious to defend his title, as well as strive for the unification. And in order to properly prepare himself, Porter has to keep in mind how dangerous an opponent Spence will be. This should not be problem.
BATTLE TESTED
Shawn Porter, win, lose or draw, arguably has the most distinguished resume of all the welterweight top dogs. Showtime has mixed it up with plenty of quality competition. There is Devon Alexander, Paul Malignaggi, Kell Brook, Andrien Broner, Keith Thurman, Yordenis Ugas, Andre Berto, Danny Garcia and next is Errol Spence Jr. If successful over Spence, unification bouts with Terence Crawford or a rematch with Keith Thurman are very realistic prizefights. Whether you like his style of fighting or not, there is no logical way to hate on Showtime’s resume. Yet, all this world class experience has taught Porter, above all else, to always respect his adversary.
“I think it’s a hard fight. I think that I just have everything it takes to beat this dude […] I’m not going to knock anything that he wants to do and say until, you know, the night of the fight. On the night of the fight, we don’t talk.” ~Shawn Porter, WBC welterweight champion
By: Bakari Simpson
