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Remembering Baguio: Shawn Porter reflects on his time in the Philippines and his bond
Remembering Baguio: Shawn Porter reflects on his time in the Philippines and his bond with Pacquiao
December 18, 5:12 PMLas Vegas Boxing ExaminerChris Robinson
Undefeated Shawn Porter fight on Showtime tonight (AP Photo)In just a matter of hours undefeated Jr. Middleweight Shawn Porter will step into the ring to square off against fellow unbeaten Jamar Patterson. Taking place at the Grand Casino in Hickley, Minnesota for the world to see on ShoBox: The New Generation, the bout will definitely serve as somewhat of a benchmark in Porter’s young career.
With an impressive performance Porter will likely begin his trek towards notoriety in the sport but what’s just as notable is the fact that Porter had already begun to see his name in the headlines months prior, but not because of a fight of his own.
Just mere months ago Porter was relatively unknown outside of gracing ESPN’s airwaves but a once in a lifetime chance would give him a new outlook on his career and life in general. Going into the Fall of this year, perennial superstar Manny Pacquiao had a highly anticipated clash with then WBO Welterweight champion Miguel Cotto scheduled for November 14th. Looking for the ideal sparring partners to emulate their Puerto Rican foil, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach would come knocking on Porter’s door.
“Well I heard that my name had been mentioned a few times in the Wild Card Gym out in Hollywood,” Porter reflected recently. “Freddie Roach contacted my dad, so we went out to sort of audition for the role of Cotto. Freddie liked what he saw and the rest is history.”
Despite being under the trainer’s shrewd eye, Porter was able to show the Massachusetts native something that caught his attention. Upon hearing of his approval, Porter remembers being overcome with emotion.
“I couldn’t believe it when Freddie said “I definitely want to take you to camp”,” Porter gushed. “My heart dropped, I smiled, shook his hand, and damn near yelled as I left the gym. It was unbelievable!”
Within a few weeks time Porter found himself getting ready to immerse himself in an experience unlike any other. Despite still being green in several aspects of the sport, Porter was ready for the opportunity and everything that it meant to his blossoming career.
“I flew into Baguio City on September 29th,” Porter recalls. “I remembered when the plane landed and parked, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and told myself that I was here and it was time to get down to work.”
Upon landing in the Philippines Porter recalls being taken back by the tropical atmosphere of the island and a completely different culture. Porter remembers his first encounter with Pacquiao very well and remembers being almost star struck.
“Well the funny thing is I met Bobby Pacquiao before I met Manny and I thought he was the Pacman,” an almost embarrassed Porter states. “I had the biggest smile and I shook his hand a little too long. Then someone said that’s Bobby and I just felt so dumb. But when I met Manny he said “Thanks for coming buddy” and I was speechless.”
Porter points out that as he settled into camp he noticed that he was part of a contagious atmosphere that created hard work. Porter noted that the camp obviously revolved around Pacquiao’s actions and that the perennial superstar also lightened up the mood with his singing and dancing. But when it was time to get down to business, Pacquiao was all work and no play.
“It was very competitive,” Porter recalls of working with Manny. “A little rough at first trying to dodge his left hand, but things definitely picked up near the middle and end of camp. We had a lot of moments where we would stop and laugh because he hit me with a good shot or combo and vice versa. But one really great moment was when I hit him a little low in his ass cheek and he stopped and walked around the ring. But at that moment it was pretty intense and I got tired of waiting so I pushed him and said “Come on, yo ass alright!” and he laughed and hit me in the ass and said “See buddy, it hurts!”. It was great!”
Porter pointed out that while his Olympic and Pan Am preparation was trying that it had nothing on the intensity of the camp in Baguio City. Pacquiao and his team were so appreciative of the work that Porter gave them that they insisted he be present at the MGM Grand during Pacquiao’s walk into the ring to face Cotto. While Porter may have been present, he reflects on why he ultimately wasn’t able to make the walk with his new buddy.
“I was there,” Porter reflects. “Unfortunately I didn’t have the opportunity to walk with him to the ring due to commission regulations. But the fight was unbelievable. The atmosphere was bar none and I can’t wait to perform in front of a crowd like that, that loves me, and chants my name the way they did for Manny.”
After their time in camp together Porter and Pacquiao went their separate ways but the Akron, Ohio native was able to come away from the experience with a newfound respect for the sport. Aside from learning what it takes to succeed at a high level, Porter also was able to get a better understanding of who Manny Pacquiao is, not just as a fighter, but as a human being.
“I basically saw how a champion is made. I saw him when he wasn’t in shape, and I saw what it takes to become a champion. I have a bar now, and I know in my heart when I’m not working hard enough. Before I met him I just thought he was a fast southpaw with a great left hand but he’s so much more. He’s humble and he has a beautiful faith in god that I admire.”
To get a look at Porter weighing in for this weekend's fights, please check out the slideshow below...
December 18, 5:12 PMLas Vegas Boxing ExaminerChris Robinson
Undefeated Shawn Porter fight on Showtime tonight (AP Photo)In just a matter of hours undefeated Jr. Middleweight Shawn Porter will step into the ring to square off against fellow unbeaten Jamar Patterson. Taking place at the Grand Casino in Hickley, Minnesota for the world to see on ShoBox: The New Generation, the bout will definitely serve as somewhat of a benchmark in Porter’s young career.
With an impressive performance Porter will likely begin his trek towards notoriety in the sport but what’s just as notable is the fact that Porter had already begun to see his name in the headlines months prior, but not because of a fight of his own.
Just mere months ago Porter was relatively unknown outside of gracing ESPN’s airwaves but a once in a lifetime chance would give him a new outlook on his career and life in general. Going into the Fall of this year, perennial superstar Manny Pacquiao had a highly anticipated clash with then WBO Welterweight champion Miguel Cotto scheduled for November 14th. Looking for the ideal sparring partners to emulate their Puerto Rican foil, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach would come knocking on Porter’s door.
“Well I heard that my name had been mentioned a few times in the Wild Card Gym out in Hollywood,” Porter reflected recently. “Freddie Roach contacted my dad, so we went out to sort of audition for the role of Cotto. Freddie liked what he saw and the rest is history.”
Despite being under the trainer’s shrewd eye, Porter was able to show the Massachusetts native something that caught his attention. Upon hearing of his approval, Porter remembers being overcome with emotion.
“I couldn’t believe it when Freddie said “I definitely want to take you to camp”,” Porter gushed. “My heart dropped, I smiled, shook his hand, and damn near yelled as I left the gym. It was unbelievable!”
Within a few weeks time Porter found himself getting ready to immerse himself in an experience unlike any other. Despite still being green in several aspects of the sport, Porter was ready for the opportunity and everything that it meant to his blossoming career.
“I flew into Baguio City on September 29th,” Porter recalls. “I remembered when the plane landed and parked, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and told myself that I was here and it was time to get down to work.”
Upon landing in the Philippines Porter recalls being taken back by the tropical atmosphere of the island and a completely different culture. Porter remembers his first encounter with Pacquiao very well and remembers being almost star struck.
“Well the funny thing is I met Bobby Pacquiao before I met Manny and I thought he was the Pacman,” an almost embarrassed Porter states. “I had the biggest smile and I shook his hand a little too long. Then someone said that’s Bobby and I just felt so dumb. But when I met Manny he said “Thanks for coming buddy” and I was speechless.”
Porter points out that as he settled into camp he noticed that he was part of a contagious atmosphere that created hard work. Porter noted that the camp obviously revolved around Pacquiao’s actions and that the perennial superstar also lightened up the mood with his singing and dancing. But when it was time to get down to business, Pacquiao was all work and no play.
“It was very competitive,” Porter recalls of working with Manny. “A little rough at first trying to dodge his left hand, but things definitely picked up near the middle and end of camp. We had a lot of moments where we would stop and laugh because he hit me with a good shot or combo and vice versa. But one really great moment was when I hit him a little low in his ass cheek and he stopped and walked around the ring. But at that moment it was pretty intense and I got tired of waiting so I pushed him and said “Come on, yo ass alright!” and he laughed and hit me in the ass and said “See buddy, it hurts!”. It was great!”
Porter pointed out that while his Olympic and Pan Am preparation was trying that it had nothing on the intensity of the camp in Baguio City. Pacquiao and his team were so appreciative of the work that Porter gave them that they insisted he be present at the MGM Grand during Pacquiao’s walk into the ring to face Cotto. While Porter may have been present, he reflects on why he ultimately wasn’t able to make the walk with his new buddy.
“I was there,” Porter reflects. “Unfortunately I didn’t have the opportunity to walk with him to the ring due to commission regulations. But the fight was unbelievable. The atmosphere was bar none and I can’t wait to perform in front of a crowd like that, that loves me, and chants my name the way they did for Manny.”
After their time in camp together Porter and Pacquiao went their separate ways but the Akron, Ohio native was able to come away from the experience with a newfound respect for the sport. Aside from learning what it takes to succeed at a high level, Porter also was able to get a better understanding of who Manny Pacquiao is, not just as a fighter, but as a human being.
“I basically saw how a champion is made. I saw him when he wasn’t in shape, and I saw what it takes to become a champion. I have a bar now, and I know in my heart when I’m not working hard enough. Before I met him I just thought he was a fast southpaw with a great left hand but he’s so much more. He’s humble and he has a beautiful faith in god that I admire.”
To get a look at Porter weighing in for this weekend's fights, please check out the slideshow below...
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