By Francisco Salazar
Even as an amateur and into his professional career, Shawn Porter does things the 'Porter Way.'
That does not include flashing money or jewelry, but instead, working hard in the gym. It has translated into Porter winning a world title belt, headlining fight cards, and now earning seven-figure paydays.
While he suffered his first defeat as a pro last year, Porter has earned his way back into title contention. Before he could fight the likes of Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, or even Floyd Mayweather, he has to defeat a fighter who is the betting favorite to win on Saturday and whom he has a history with.
Porter will fight Adrien Broner on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. The 12 round bout, fought at a catchweight of 144 pounds, will headline a 'Premier Boxing Champions' card that will air live on NBC, beginning at 8:30 p.m ET/ 5: 30 p.m. PT.
Not only are Broner and Porter squaring off in a bout where the winner takes a significant step towards a bigger payday or world title shot, but they are both fighting for Ohio bragging rights. Porter was born in Akron (near Cleveland), while Broner resides in Cincinnati.
Both have known each other growing up in Ohio, crossing paths and even fighting in the same tournaments in the Buckeye state.
According to Porter, he did not give much thought that both would be facing one another as professional prizefighters. While it would have logistically made sense to stage the fight in each fighter's hometown or in the state capital of Columbus, Porter believes the fight is taking place in the right city.
"He's a few years younger than me and he's always been a lot smaller than me," said Porter in a recent sit-down interview with reporters. "He finished his career in the amateurs at 132 pounds, I finished at 165. Even at that point, there was never a thought of fighting Adrien Broner. But obviously when he moved up to 147 and got that WBA belt, if he's staying here, he can't just open the door at that weight and not come see me. It's about that time."
"My Dad (Kenny) and I have been in Las Vegas for two years now. When we went out there, our goal was to fight at the MGM (Grand) and do exactly what Floyd Mayweather did: Make that (MGM Grand) our home. We'll get another opportunity to go get a fight back home. This fight is happening where it's supposed to happen."
Broner has won his last two bouts since his well-known loss to Marco Maidana in December of 2013. While Broner was decimating opposition at 130 and 135 pounds, he ran into an aggressive and bigger fighter in Maidana, where he was dropped twice in that fight.
Porter admits he has studied tape of the Maidana-Broner fight, even going back further in Broner's career. While he respects Maidana's performance against Broner, Porter believes he is more-talented boxer, but can effectively apply the right amount of pressure to make Broner feel uncomfortable and pile on the points to victory.
"We're even going as far back as (the Daniel) Ponce De Leon (fight). There's something that can be learned, especially his tendencies, what he does, what he doesn't do in every fight. If you go as early as that (Ponce De Leon) fight, you'll see some of the things he's changed and some of things he hasn't. You see what he can do and what he can't do.
"I know what I can do. It won't be done the same way, but we'll do it with a different style. We're going to do the same thing but our way."
Porter admits Broner has quick, fast hands that could give him problems. According to writers and boxing experts, some wondered whether Porter would be able to make the contracted weight of 144 pounds, considering he began his pro career as a junior middleweight and has fought mostly as a welterweight.
Porter did end up weighing 144 pounds at Friday's weigh-in, while Broner weighed in at 143.5 pounds.
According to multiple parties, it was Broner and his team who insisted on the weight limit. With fighters who recently have come in to high-profile fights weighing more than the contracted weight, it was not something Porter could do. As far as he was concerned, it was an obligation.
"We just know it's right. We knew this is what it would take to make this fight. I'm going to look at 144 as it's a catchweight, like it's a weight class. I have to make weight. It's my job. So what? It's three pounds. If that was your job and you're making the kind of money that we're making in one night, you would do the same thing."
According to the Nevada Athletic Commission, Broner is pocketing a $1,350,000, while Porter is making $1,000,000 for the fight.
Porter and Broner have crosses paths as amateurs, but have worked together as pros on a few occasions. Porter stated they brought Broner into camp in 2011 and in 2012 to prepare for the Alfonso Gomez fight.
"We brought him in to our camp for about a week. We got some rounds in and it was simple work."
And while some believe Broner will be the most difficult fight on paper in Porter's career, the 27 year old believed he already went through his most difficult opponent: Himself.
It was on Aug. 16 when Porter lost a 12 round majority decision to Kell Brook in Carson, Calif. Porter believed had he listened more to his corner and fought his fight, the outcome would have been different. Should he come out victorious on Saturday, a fight with Brook would not be out of the question.
"I made the Kell brook fight tougher on my myself. I was focused and I was prepared for that fight. I think I lost myself during the fight, but I didn't keep the right head on. I didn't listen to my corner as I should have. I didn't stay focused on the game plan and what was being asked. I got ahead of myself. I know what it feels like now. That's the great part about it is that you sense something and you have the ability to stop it."
Like him or not, Porter is good for boxing. Some fighters try to find shortcuts, but that is not in Porter's vocabulary. There is still a lot for Porter to accomplish and fights with Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia (who is now competing as a welterweight), and even a rematch with Brook are on the horizon.
While some may consider a victory over Broner an upset, it will be business as usual for Porter.
Then again, it is the 'Porter Way.'
"All of it. I have everything from the speed, to the quickness, to the power. The punch output and the body shots. He hasn't seen this type of fighter."
"This fight has become a blessing to boxing. It's been a blessing to me, my team, and my team."
Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing