By Rick Reeno
MGM Grand, Las Vegas - "Showtime" Shawn Porter (26-1-1, 16KOs) survived a scare in the twelfth and final round, holding on to a dominating lead to win a twelve round unanimous decision over former three division world champion Adrien "The Problem" Broner (30-2, 22KOs). The scores were 114-112, 115-111 and 118-108.
The fight took place at a catch-weight of 144-pounds, and headlined a Premier Boxing Champions card on NBC.
They felt each other out in the first. Porter landed a good flurry, with two accurate left hands, that forced Broner to hold on very tight. Porter was starting to raise his activity in the second. There wasn't much coming from Broner in return. He was attempting to find something on the inside and Porter was digging to his body when they clinched. The third round was a repeat of the second.
Porter was trying to maul Broner in the fourth. He was chasing him around the ring, landing a few punches in-between and doing far more work when pressing Broner against the ropes.
Broner had a better fifth, but was still allowing Porter to outwork him. At the start of the sixth, Broner landed a good hook, but Porter fired back with one of his own. Broner made things close by letting his hands go a little bit more as Porter took his foot off the gas. Porter went back to work in the seventh, outworking and outlanding Broner when they got in close.
Broner was starting to let his hands go in the eight, with Porter more than happy to exchange shots. Broner finally woke up in the eight, but he wasn't as active with his shots. Porter continued to out-throw and outland.
The tenth was bruising for Broner. Porter stepped on the gas at full throttle, stepping up his work to the head, and digging hard hooks to the body at close range. Broner was at certain points holding for dear life and not throwing much of anything to change the tide.
During the eleventh, referee Tony Weeks had seen enough of Broner's antics and took a point away for excessive holding. Porter continued to throw a lot of punches in bunches when the action resumed.
At the start of the twelfth, Broner landed a hook right on the button and Porter went down for the first time in his career as the entire arena stood on their feet. Broner went after Porter, who stood his ground and fought off an incoming attack for much of the round, regained his composure and was swinging back hard by the end of the round.