‘Showtime’ Shawn Porter has a very big fight in front of him on March 12th, as he will be taking on undefeated WBA welterweight champion Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman. The fight has more on the line than just the title belt at stake, as the winner will likely be considered the #1 welterweight in the world, as Floyd Mayweather is now retired and Manny Pacquiao has stated his next fight will be his last.
In part 2 of my “On The Ropes” boxing radio interview with Shawn Porter, I get his thoughts on the two welterweights stars that has dominated the top of the division, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Shawn talks about Manny Pacquiao’s legacy in the sport and also shares his thoughts on Pacquiao-Bradley 3. Porter also shares his views on Floyd Mayweather’s career and if he thinks Floyd is really retired. Additionally, Shawn gives his official prediction for his upcoming fight and shares a message to his fans. Here is what Shawn Porter had to say.
Jenna J: Earlier in your career you had a chance to spar with Manny Pacquiao before one of his fights. How do you feel about Pacquiao stepping away from the game?
Shawn Porter: We can’t do this forever. He obviously sees something in himself, or he wants something different for his life to finally figure out that this is his last bout. We saw Floyd do it earlier in his career, not just now, but there was something calling him back and when he came back he was just as great, it was like he never left.
I think that there comes a time when we all have to hang it up. Our job along the way is to make sure that we do everything that we can do to accomplish all of our goals and set a legacy for ourselves and for other fighters to look up to. Manny is definitely a fighter that I looked up to. Just before I started sparring him, I started watching him and after being able to work with him and seeing him train and speaking to him one on one and developing a relationship with him, I’m proud of everything he’s accomplished in his career. I’m looking forward to him hopefully going out on top.
Jenna J: Pacquiao will be fighting Tim Bradley for a third time, and the only difference in this fight is that Bradley has a new trainer. Do you think the third fight will play out differently than the first two?
Shawn Porter: I think the third fight is definitely going to play out differently. I think that Manny is gonna come to be Manny, especially with it being his last fight. I think that you will see as many punches and as much energy as you’ve ever seen. I don’t know how anyone can have their last match and not put it all out like it was their first match.
I think that Bradley having Teddy Atlas as his trainer, they’re gonna come with a different game plan and I think that whatever game plan they come with, Tim Bradley is going to stick to it no matter what happens in the ring. I think that Bradley’s camp is going to make some adjustments to make this a different fight, I think it’s gonna be a very good fight to watch.
Jenna J: I want to get your thoughts on Floyd Mayweather. Do you think he will actually stay away from boxing and not go for the 50th win?
Shawn Porter: I don’t think he’s retired. I’ve heard things about him coming back once more, but only once more. He’s tied the record and he’s trying to break the record, but at the same time, I think he’s gonna watch this fight and whatever happens between Keith and I, and if he feels like he can beat one of us, he’ll come back. I think if he doesn’t feel like he can beat one of us, he won’t come back. We’ll see what happens, I feel like March 12th is a very deciding factor for not only the rest of 2016 but also the years to come.
Jenna J: When you step into the ring with Keith Thurman, how do you expect that fight to play out?
Shawn Porter: I’m expecting this fight to be competitive. I’m expecting to go in there and be Shawn Porter, but the best Shawn Porter that you’ve ever seen. If I do that, we control the ring, we control the distance, we control the tempo of the fight, we control top to bottom everything that’s gonna happen in that fight.
I understand that Keith is a very competitive fighter, I understand that he’s not only going to try to stop me from doing what I can do, but also try to do some of the things that he can do very well. With all that being said, I think it’s gonna be a great fight, it’s gonna be an exciting fight and I am so confident that I will be victorious that night that I’m not ashamed to claim victory right now.
Jenna J: Alright Shawn, if you win this fight, do you still have an eye on Kell Brook and a chance to avenge the only loss of your boxing career?
Shawn Porter: I always have an eye on Kell Brook, avenging that loss, I think that is important. I think at this point that fight hasn’t been presented to me, so there is only so much that I can do as far as looking at that fight, but it will always be something that I’m looking forward to doing before I retire myself.
Jenna J: In closing Shawn, is there any message you want to pass along to your fans?
Shawn Porter: The fans, they respected what I do, they appreciate what I do and appreciate and love them for that. Continue to look at what team Porter is doing, March 12th is going to be great and like I said before, my fans will become Keith fans after this fight and Keith’s fans will become my fans after this fight. I am looking forward to it. God Bless everyone out there, @SHOWTIMESHAWNP on everything, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, thank you for this interview.
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