By Edward Chaykovsky
Kenny Porter, father and trainer of former IBF welterweight champion Shawn 'Showtime' Porter, is predicting a lot of pain and punishment when his son challenges Keith 'One Time' Thurman for the WBA welterweight championship on March 12th at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Thurman (26-0, 22KOs) is viewed as the big puncher in the fight and the more likely of the two to get a victory inside the distance.
Kenny says his son is also fully capable of getting a victory by knockout. Porter (26-1-1, 16KOs) has won two straight since suffering a twelve round majority decision loss to Kell Brook in August of 2014. His last win came in June 2015 with an upset twelve round unanimous decision over four division champion Adrien Broner.
While an early night is desired, Porter will not chase the knockout win. Kenny says their game plan will be centered on breaking Thurman down and punishing him until he's unable to continue or the referee is forced to jump in and wave off the contest.
"Shawn definitely has the ability to knock Keith out, but you never want to go in there trying to knock someone out, especially at the world class level, because everyone at the world class level is prepared and ready and it’s very hard when you’re forcing a knockout," Kenny told On The Ropes Boxing Radio.
"What we will force is will, we will force our will on him and try to break him from that standpoint. That’s something that we’re aiming at doing, not necessarily knocking him out but maybe putting him in a position where he can’t take it anymore, or the referee decides he shouldn’t take it anymore."
With Floyd Mayweather Jr. in full retirement and Manny Pacquiao's decision to follow his lead, Kenny views this fight as an important puzzle piece for the future of the welterweight division.
The two camps have known each other since the amateurs. That relationship is irrelevant once they step in the ring.
Whether it ends early or goes the full distance, Kenny expects Thurman to take a lot of damage along the way.
"Official prediction in a word is punishment. I predict that we will punish him and also I predict that Shawn will take over the welterweight division, he will be world champion again and he will be taking over this welterweight division," Kenny said.
