Porter's Coach: Garcia Has Never Been Tested Like Thurman Has

By Edward Chaykovsky

Kenny Porter, father and trainer of former welterweight world champion Shawn Porter (26-2-1, 16 KOs), is picking WBA champion Keith Thurman to win his upcoming unification with WBC champ Danny Garcia.

Thurman vs. Garcia takes place on March 4th, likely at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Porter's son went to war with Thurman last June, at the same Brooklyn venue, and they traded punches for twelve rounds in one of the best fights of the year. Thurman won a twelve round unanimous decision to retain his belt.

Shawn Porter has not seen action since the loss to Thurman. Kenny would like to have him fight in Las Vegas in the near future, and then move forward with a contest against the Thurman-Garcia winner.

As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, Porter's father is attempting to secure a fight with fellow former champion Andre Berto. The main reason Kenny Porter is siding with Thurman to win, is because he believes the boxer has previously found himself in "life and death" struggles during tough fights and managed to win them. Kenny Porter does not believe Garcia has been tested in the same manner.

“We want the winner of Thurman-Garcia,” Kenny Porter said to the Las Vegas Review Journal. “Thurman didn’t want the rematch, but we’ll get him eventually. I think Thurman beats Garcia because Shawn put him in a life or death situation. He’s prepared. Garcia hasn’t had that type of competition.”

Kenny Porter also revealed that he's opened up his Las Vegas gym to WBA featherweight champion Carl Frampton, who is training for a rematch against Leo Santa Cruz on January 28th at the MGM Grand.

“Carl is training over there now, and he’s looking great,” Kenny Porter said. “Very impressive guy. He had his people come check out the gym, and they liked what they saw. We only open up the gym for top champions.”