Interviews

Shawn Porter May Drop To The Welterweight Division

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Rising junior middleweight prospect Shawn "Showtime" Porter speaks to BoxingScene.com.com about his victory Friday night over Jamar Patterson. Porter also speaks on moving down to welterweight, sparring with Manny Pacquiao and more in this exclusive interview.

BoxingScene.com: First off congratulations on the win Friday night. How do you grade your performance?

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Shawn Porter: I give myself a B. What did you give me?

BoxingScene.com: I thought you did pretty good. I would say B+.

Shawn Porter: My dad gave me a B+, for TV maybe an A. There were some things I could have done. It wasn't a perfect fight.

BoxingScene.com: Patterson was 8-0 going into the fight. Were you surprised you got him out of there so early (4th round TKO)?

Shawn Porter: No, not at all. I believe in myself and I know what my abilities are so I knew coming in he was 8-0 but I knew I would win the fight.

BoxingScene.com: Are you glad you stepped up to fighting a guy with a record like that versus some of the guys with losing records or slightly winning records?

Shawn Porter: Oh yeah. These guys are more orthodox and they are more talented guys. They bring more skills to the ring and that is something I really enjoy going up against. It helps me improve my craft.

BoxingScene.com: The Showtime commentors mentioned the average height of the junior middleweight champions is 5'11". Being that you are 5'7" is a move down to 147 in your future?

Shawn Porter: I definitely feel 147 is going to be in my future but I still feel I will be champion at 154 as well. You will see me at 147 soon. We can fight at 54 with no problem at all. I fought at 165 in the amateurs and I beat the top guys in that weight class.

BoxingScene.com: You have a lot of power at 54. Do you feel you will be even more explosive facing 147 pounders?

Shawn Porter: Most definitely. I have a lot of power at 54 and I know moving down I will have even more power. In both divisions I will have success.

BoxingScene.com: What do you know about your next opponent Damian Frias, whom you face on 2/19?

Shawn Porter: Not much yet. We were worried about Patterson and fighting him and I try not to look ahead. I am returning to the ring
2/19 though.

BoxingScene.com: I see it is going to be in Cleveland close to your Akron home. Is it going to be televised?

Shawn Porter: Yes it will be on ESPN2 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland.

BoxingScene.com: You fought 11 times this year. How many times are you looking to fight in 2010?

Shawn Porter: We will probably be just as busy. I like to stay busy and I have a great work ethic. The busier I am the better it is for me.

BoxingScene.com: Is the plan to get to 22-0 or 23-0 by the end of 2010 and look at a title shot in 2011?

Shawn Porter: The plan is to be a world champion. However we have to do it to get there we will do it. We just want to be world champions.

BoxingScene.com: You were here on BoxingScene.com last week speaking with Ronnie Nathanielsz about your desire to spar with Manny Pacquiao again. Have you heard anything more about that?

Shawn Porter: Not yet. We are waiting on the phone call. I am sure we will talk soon.

BoxingScene.com: It was one thing to help him prepare for a stalking fighter like Cotto. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a completely different animal. Are you confident you can help prepare him for that style as well?

Shawn Porter: I definitely can. I take it to Pacquiao and I make him work hard. I think he needs that type of work where he has to really work at it. I think it will really help him get ready for the fight. Freddie Roach liked the work I gave Manny so hopefully it will work out again.

BoxingScene.com: Last question. Do you have a message for the fans?

Shawn Porter: I want to thank the fans who watched the fights and follow me. Keep looking out for me. You can also follow me at shawnporterboxing.com.

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com

Comments

SceneSpectatorTue Dec 22, 2009, 6:54 AM UTC

I get the move...but WW is a very boring divison... In a year or so..Itll just be him and berto.... Might be, when Pac beat Floyd and surely Floyd will be retired again but that would be for good because of embarassing defeat he will suffer from Pac. And Pac would retire too because of his political dream.. Moseley will be out soon because of his age, so welter will be indeed drained of talents.:boxing:

Mr_ChagoMon Dec 21, 2009, 11:14 PM UTC

Definitely a smart move. If he's as comfortable at WW as JMW he'll be a beast in a sick division. His Baby Frazier Jump Hook was nasty in his last bout. Yeah, excelent hook at ther end!

jrosales13Mon Dec 21, 2009, 10:01 PM UTC

Alvarez is nasty....I like him... Its still not as exciting as JMW.... Angulo Cintron Cotto Williams Martinez Spinks Margarito? Quitana Henry Vanes Dzinziruk Konecny Baysangurov Wolak Proksa Kirkland Clottey Foreman Chavez Jr. See I think WW will be young and exciting... 154 is a whole different animal... What makes that weightclass exciting. Is that you have young up and comer prospects, you have prime contenders, and old seasoned vets, you have guys with established names, and you have my boy James Kirkland coming back. That alone makes me excited about that weight-class.

jrosales13Mon Dec 21, 2009, 9:47 PM UTC

I get the move...but WW is a very boring divison... In a year or so..Itll just be him and berto.... Naw bro... See Burner you have to start watching more boxing bro. In a year or so you going to have Mike Jones who is a tall puncher out of Philly, you have Antwone Smith who has fan friendly inside style, you might see Bradley there, there Saul Alvarez who is huge in Mexico. He is the most followed Mexican fighter there is right now. And, then you add Porter with Berto it will be an exciting division. WW is always on and poppin bro. It never is boring ever.

SyfMon Dec 21, 2009, 9:32 PM UTC

gotta make sure he don't lose too much muscle in the wrong places tho

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