By Ryan Burton
Last week, former welterweight champion Shawn Porter told a group of media members (including this reporter) that he would be returning to the ring in April against division rival Andre Berto. He also stated that the fight would likely take place in Las Vegas.
Shortly after hearing the news, this reporter tweeted the announcement. A few hours later Berto (31-4, 24 KOs) quoted the tweet and added LOL [laughing out loud], which indicated that maybe the fight wasn't as close to being finalized as Porter believed.
Porter (26-2, 16 KOs) has been out of the ring since last June, when he lost a twelve round unanimous decision to WBA world champion Keith Thurman. Berto has been out even longer, with his last fight taking place in April 2016 with a knockout win over Victor Ortiz in their rematch.
Following Leo Santa Cruz's majority decision victory over Carl Frampton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, BoxingScene.com once again caught up with Porter to get his take on Berto's tweet.
"I don't know man. There is nothing else I can say about that. Everybody knows where I stand on that fight. As far as I know he is the only one there for me and I am the only one out there for him. That 'LOL,' I will probably tweet that after the fight," said a confident Porter to BoxingScene.com.
There certainly isn't any love lost between the two Al Haymon advised fighters, who have traded words over various social media platforms in recent months. Porter said that he will keep saying his name until they get in the ring.
"Andre Berto. I'm gonna keep saying it. He says to keep his name out my mouth but I'm going to keep saying Andre Berto," said Porter.
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