Essential The Official Boxing Random Thoughts Thread...All boxing heads ENTER.
- Thread starter Jesus Is Lord
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I'm happy to see Tank get a big pay day fight. I'm not mad one bit about someone getting a huge pay day.Yup, It started already.
"Tank getting to the BAG!"
"Can't be mad at a brother getting a bag!!!
"Your broke azz would fight Jake Paul too. Y'all just hating cuz Tank getting dat BAG!"
I think everyone here would've rather liked to see Tank rematch Roach and then move on to tougher opponents over seeing a Jake Paul fight.
Hopefully we get that before he retires.
UpAndComing
Veteran
Spence is ruined and ppl still want to beat on him...its a cold world
We are never getting that before he retires. You could forget about thatIf he had any interest in taking on tougher opponents he would have done so before age 30. And he would have gotten just as big a payday, in fact numerous of them, if he took on his rivals that he's successfully avoided all these years.
This idea that a certified boxing cashcow somehow won the lottery by electing to fight a content creator, is a joke. Hed have made that regardless if he fought a real opponent.
all these years i talked about nikkas being risk averse and fighting fights they shouldn't be...and now you have a young fighter posting this nonsense...already has a loss on his record and has blown weight...shouldn't even be talking like this
nikkas like Hackett and Jared Anderson are retarded. When the focus isn't on what's directly in front of you because of these stupid ass delusions of grandeur, you fukk yourself.
nikkas thinking about cashing out early thinking they just gone wake up and hit a lick. It don't work like. Gotta get that name buzzin'. Davis missed out on some serious opportunities to fight some great fighters and for us who pay attention, it's a bad look. But you can't deny that his name was big enough to do that he was able to do in securing this payday.
Hmmm very interesting and surprising would be a huge fight but I would want to see Spence vs anyone first at 154 to build more anticipation. Sad to say more of a question mark on Spence vs Charlo and Spence is my guy.
RingMagazine.com |10 hours ago
The Best I Faced: Shawn Porter
Aggressive pressure fighter Shawn Porter won two versions of the welterweight title in the 2010s.
Porter, who was the third youngest of four children, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 20, 1987. He doesn’t remember a time when boxing wasn't a part of his life.
"I started boxing when I was 5 years old. I was boxing before I was really in school," Porter told The Ring. "I think that was largely my dad's way that we stayed on the straight and narrow.
“I was probably closer to being 10 or 11 before I really understood what it was what I was doing, before that I was competing for trophies. I never really liked to watch it."
Having started so young, it's not surprising Porter had a successful amateur career. He won the 2004 Pan American Cadets, silver at the 2006, '07 and '08 US National Championships, represented the U.S. at the World Junior Championships in 2006, collected gold at the Golden Gloves in 2007 and lost at the semi-final stage of the 2008 Olympic trials to Daniel Jacobs.
However, he owns wins over Jacobs, Demetrius Andrade and Oleksandr Usyk during his amateur days.
"I fought Oleksandr Usyk at 75KG and I fought Oleksandr Usyk that just wasn't as good as he is now,” he recalled. "That fight was 4 two-minute round fight, and we fought with a computer point system.
"The pace was much different; it was a very fast amateur pace. I do know the points were very close the whole way. I think there was a one or two point spread after the first three rounds, and I think I ended up pulling ahead in the last round and because of a big right hand that I landed on him and only won the fight by like two points."
Boxing wasn't the only sport Porter competed in and in high school, he was a talented American Football player.
"I think I was a senior in high school, and I had gotten plenty of letters from schools," he said. "I was going through my senior year; it was just such a bad year for my team that it really put a negative mindset.
"I felt you had to depend on 10 other guys to do their job, and I went to my dad, and I told him, 'It's just me and you, I know what you're going to do, and I know what I'm going to do.' I said, 'Let's go.' I think he was pleasantly surprised that I decided not to go and play football."
Porter, who went 276-14 as an amateur, turned professional against Norman Johnson in Salisbury, Maryland, in October 2008.
"A lot of people see I weighed in at 165 pounds, we had planned to turn pro at 154 pounds and the guy they had for me decided not to show up for the fight, so they brought someone else in and that guy was in the 60s and they knew that in order to make, the fight the commission would need to see that I was in the 60s," he said. "I weighed in with clothes on and stuff in my pockets and I was 164 pounds.
"I ordered new boxing stuff which didn't turn up until the day of the fight which was fun and worrisome to some degree. They put me in there with someone I had never seen before, didn't know who he was, that didn't really matter because you go through the tournaments and never know who you're going to fight. I remember the bell rang and I had this feeling over me, 'Wow, I'm actually fighting.' We meet in the center of the ring, and I start doing my thing and that fight lasted less than a minute."
Over the next couple of years, Porter worked his way down to junior middleweight and then welterweight.
However, his father, Kenny, could see they needed to up their game, so he pivoted and give his son a look at the upper echelons of the sport.
"We went out to L.A. to basically audition to be a sparring partner [for Manny Pacquiao] when he fought Miguel Cotto and Freddie Roach liked me,” he said. “I'm pretty sure my dad said at the Wild Card, 'Do you know who Manny Pacquiao is?' I said, 'Not really.' He said, 'You better look him up, you better watch him on YouTube.' And that's what I did."
He scored useful wins over fellow prospect Ray Robinson (UD 10) and Contender Alumni Alfonso Gomez (UD 10). Around that time, he became a little stale and was going through the motions which was apparent when he was held to a draw by former two-time IBF lightweight boss Julio Diaz (D 10).
Porter returned with a win over fellow unbeaten Phil Lo Greco (UD 10) and bested Diaz (UD) in a rematch. That lead to a fight with IBF welterweight titleholder Devon Alexander at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, in December 2013.
"I had enough people counting me out, not believing I would beat Devon Alexander, I understand people knew him more than me and he had done some relatively good things before I had come along," said Porter, who won a 12-round unanimous decision. "That was enough to get me going to want to not just fight but beat him and look good doing it. After that fight there was a moment, 'Well, you're really here now. There's no turning back.'"
While winning the title is many fighters end game it was just the next step for Porter.
"I was accomplishing everyone else's goal, I didn't understand what it was to be a world champion," he admitted. "It was a part of the growth process for me. At one point it was turn pro, make money, get a belt, make money, we understand a belt means we can make more money. What I started to realize that there's a level of respect and appreciate that's comes with winning world titles, it gave me a sense of accomplishment and liked the responsibility of being a world champion, I kind of felt that instantly and that's where the maturation started from."
Porter beat former two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi (TKO 4) in his lone defense before being upset by Kell Brook in August 2014.
"Prior to fighting Kell, we just sharpened my skills and went to the ring in every fight feeling as if what I have is so much better, it doesn't matter," he said of his learning curve. "After Kell I realized game planning is essential. A basic jab is what won him that fight against me."
He returned with a win over Erick Bone (TKO 5). Which set up a big all-Ohio showdown with the talented but ill-disciplined Adrien Broner (UD 12) in June 2015.
"Knowing Broner from the amateurs, practically our entire lives, we knew what other people didn't know. We knew he wasn't as strong, fast, sharp, not as smart and I think we showed all of that on fight night," said Porter, who got off the canvas in the final round to outwork Broner by 12-round unanimous decision. "I think my ring IQ goes under the radar because I fought at such a fast pace, but people don't realize I thought at a fast pace as well. How I support that is if you say there's an Adrien Broner out there who has a higher ring IQ than Shawn Porter, if you really go and watch that fight, I wasn't on top of him every single round, it took a level of IQ to make him miss his first shot, make him miss his first counter shot and I think that's one of those fights a lot of people revere that fight simply because he was a showman and I wasn't. The good guy versus the bad guy and I won."
That win landed him a shot at WBA welterweight titlist Keith Thurman (UD 12) in June 2016.
"The crazy thing about that fight is I didn't even care or know about the world championship, I cared about giving Keith his first loss, that was the only thing that mattered to me," said Porter, who lost 7 rounds to 5 on all three scorecards. "I've heard a lot of people say he had an east coast judging friendly style and I didn't, and I think that's very unfair. I think judging all around the world should be the same. I think all judges should be looking for one thing and I think there should be one criteria and I think that is one of the things that played its role in me losing that fight. I see Keith all the time and he's a fantastic athlete and human being."
Two wins positioned him for a second title tilt, this time for the vacant WBC title against former two-weight world champion Danny Garcia in September 2018.
"My fight with Danny, we had a great game plan, X's and O's down and it worked," he said of claiming his second world title by 12-round unanimous decision.
"That WBC meant a whole lot. I had gone to a WBC convention and got a good taste of what the WBC was and especially knowing my favorite fighter Marvelous Marvin Hagler had that belt, it was kind of like, I have to have to have that.”
Porter edged home against Yordenis Ugas (SD 12) before dropping the title to IBF counterpart Erol Spence Jr. (SD 12) in a unification in September 2019.
He stayed relevant by dominating Sebastian Formella (UD 12) and then faced three division titleholder and reigning WBO boss, Terence Crawford at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, in November 2021
"What happened in the Crawford fight, I fought at a slower pace and continued the slower pace throughout the fight, he picked it up, I wasn't able to pick it up with him, that's how he ended up beating me," he explained.
That proved to be the final fight of Porter's career.
"I'm glad I came around when it was a very vibrant weight class, it was a very competitive weight class,” said Porter (31-4-1, 17 knockouts).
"It was the timing and the fact I was signed with the right promotional company, that had all the of the guys."
Porter, now 37, is married with three sons and lives in Las Vegas. He works as a boxing commentator on various platforms and even recently went to Philadelphia to spar with IBF welterweight titlist Jaron Ennis. He has his own podcast called 'The PorterWay'. Outside of boxing, he has launched a suit line that is entering department stores.
He graciously took time to speak to The Ring about the best he fought in 10 key categories.
Nobody: "That's a great question. Umm, I was able to really get off on everybody. If you think of some of the guys I fought who were known for defense, two specifically, Paulie Malignaggi and Devon Alexander. Neither of them could keep me off 'em. Maybe Crawford, nah, he didn't use his feet in an amazing way that kept me off him. He didn't move his head in an amazing way that kept me off him. He didn't even block my punches. I can't say there was a fighter that had the best defense. I feel like I was me in every fight."
Terence Crawford: "That might be Terence Crawford because I do know the few punches, he put me down with, I didn't even see 'em [Laughs] I helped him, I put myself in harm's way, but those punches were fast. Devon and Paulie were known for their speed, but they didn't [impress me.]"
Keith Thurman: "Keith knew how to slide out, get away from you. I think if there was anyone, I specifically fought that knew how to use their feet, it was Keith Thurman."
ringmagazine.com
"I was accomplishing everyone else's goal, I didn't understand what it was to be a world champion," he admitted. "It was a part of the growth process for me. At one point it was turn pro, make money, get a belt, make money, we understand a belt means we can make more money. What I started to realize that there's a level of respect and appreciate that's comes with winning world titles, it gave me a sense of accomplishment and liked the responsibility of being a world champion, I kind of felt that instantly and that's where the maturation started from."
Porter beat former two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi (TKO 4) in his lone defense before being upset by Kell Brook in August 2014.
"Prior to fighting Kell, we just sharpened my skills and went to the ring in every fight feeling as if what I have is so much better, it doesn't matter," he said of his learning curve. "After Kell I realized game planning is essential. A basic jab is what won him that fight against me."
He returned with a win over Erick Bone (TKO 5). Which set up a big all-Ohio showdown with the talented but ill-disciplined Adrien Broner (UD 12) in June 2015.
"Knowing Broner from the amateurs, practically our entire lives, we knew what other people didn't know. We knew he wasn't as strong, fast, sharp, not as smart and I think we showed all of that on fight night," said Porter, who got off the canvas in the final round to outwork Broner by 12-round unanimous decision. "I think my ring IQ goes under the radar because I fought at such a fast pace, but people don't realize I thought at a fast pace as well. How I support that is if you say there's an Adrien Broner out there who has a higher ring IQ than Shawn Porter, if you really go and watch that fight, I wasn't on top of him every single round, it took a level of IQ to make him miss his first shot, make him miss his first counter shot and I think that's one of those fights a lot of people revere that fight simply because he was a showman and I wasn't. The good guy versus the bad guy and I won."
That win landed him a shot at WBA welterweight titlist Keith Thurman (UD 12) in June 2016.
"The crazy thing about that fight is I didn't even care or know about the world championship, I cared about giving Keith his first loss, that was the only thing that mattered to me," said Porter, who lost 7 rounds to 5 on all three scorecards. "I've heard a lot of people say he had an east coast judging friendly style and I didn't, and I think that's very unfair. I think judging all around the world should be the same. I think all judges should be looking for one thing and I think there should be one criteria and I think that is one of the things that played its role in me losing that fight. I see Keith all the time and he's a fantastic athlete and human being."
Two wins positioned him for a second title tilt, this time for the vacant WBC title against former two-weight world champion Danny Garcia in September 2018.
"My fight with Danny, we had a great game plan, X's and O's down and it worked," he said of claiming his second world title by 12-round unanimous decision.
"That WBC meant a whole lot. I had gone to a WBC convention and got a good taste of what the WBC was and especially knowing my favorite fighter Marvelous Marvin Hagler had that belt, it was kind of like, I have to have to have that.”
Porter edged home against Yordenis Ugas (SD 12) before dropping the title to IBF counterpart Erol Spence Jr. (SD 12) in a unification in September 2019.
He stayed relevant by dominating Sebastian Formella (UD 12) and then faced three division titleholder and reigning WBO boss, Terence Crawford at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, in November 2021
"What happened in the Crawford fight, I fought at a slower pace and continued the slower pace throughout the fight, he picked it up, I wasn't able to pick it up with him, that's how he ended up beating me," he explained.
That proved to be the final fight of Porter's career.
"I'm glad I came around when it was a very vibrant weight class, it was a very competitive weight class,” said Porter (31-4-1, 17 knockouts).
"It was the timing and the fact I was signed with the right promotional company, that had all the of the guys."
Porter, now 37, is married with three sons and lives in Las Vegas. He works as a boxing commentator on various platforms and even recently went to Philadelphia to spar with IBF welterweight titlist Jaron Ennis. He has his own podcast called 'The PorterWay'. Outside of boxing, he has launched a suit line that is entering department stores.
He graciously took time to speak to The Ring about the best he fought in 10 key categories.
BEST JAB
Kell Brook: "He had a strong jab, and he had a great game plan. His game plan was to catch me with that jab on the way in, smother me, so I couldn't get off on him - it worked to a tee."BEST DEFENSE
Nobody: "That's a great question. Umm, I was able to really get off on everybody. If you think of some of the guys I fought who were known for defense, two specifically, Paulie Malignaggi and Devon Alexander. Neither of them could keep me off 'em. Maybe Crawford, nah, he didn't use his feet in an amazing way that kept me off him. He didn't move his head in an amazing way that kept me off him. He didn't even block my punches. I can't say there was a fighter that had the best defense. I feel like I was me in every fight."
BEST HANDSPEED
Terence Crawford: "That might be Terence Crawford because I do know the few punches, he put me down with, I didn't even see 'em [Laughs] I helped him, I put myself in harm's way, but those punches were fast. Devon and Paulie were known for their speed, but they didn't [impress me.]"
BEST FOOTWORK
Keith Thurman: "Keith knew how to slide out, get away from you. I think if there was anyone, I specifically fought that knew how to use their feet, it was Keith Thurman."
SMARTEST
Crawford: "Smartest fighter I've ever been in the ring with. His reputation was that he downloads information, it takes some rounds to learn you and then does what he needs to get you out of there. I didn't see that. I didn't see him downloading information and I think another thing, I was so good at a lot of things, I think I kept him trying to figure me out and then he changed something, and it was the most simple thing, he said, 'I'm going to go get him.' And as he comes to get me, we see what happened. Let me tell you why he's the smartest fighter I've been in the ring with. He thinks at a high level, I felt like I was outthinking him and all of a sudden, he knows what I'm going to do. Early in the fight, I think I was boxing a little better, a little more energy and things of that nature but I've never been in the ring with a fighter I couldn't manipulate amateur or pro, except Terence Crawford."STRONGEST
Errol Spence Jr.: "It was Errol and Terence, but I would say Errol, he was sturdy. Funny thing with Errol, when I punched him, he came right back. A lot of guys, like Keith, he was always trying to find moments, and I was all over Keith, whereas Errol was like, 'OK, we're gonna fight.' I was forcing him to fight but he didn't backdown and he could standup to what I was giving him; he was strong enough."BEST CHIN
Danny Garcia: "I thought I was going to break Danny down mentally and then I was going to break him down physically. I broke him down a little mentally, I didn't break him down at all physically. That kid's strong. I know his last fight he didn't really show it."BEST PUNCHER
Crawford: "I like to call them thumpers, fighters that punch hard. The three that really thumped me, Danny Garcia, Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford. I can't put them in order but the two fighters who put me down Errol Spence and Terence Crawford. It has to be Crawford because he stopped me."BEST BOXING SKILLS
Crawford: "That's between Keith and Terence and I think I would have to go with Terence, a more natural boxer - God-gifted. Keith really homed in and created a style for himself."BEST OVERALL
Crawford: "That would be Terence. I've never been in the ring with anyone who could do all the things I could. When we fought, Usyk was a southpaw, a tall rangy counter puncher, he wasn't a dig to the body type of guy. He's a well-rounded fighter but he can't do everything, Terence can do everything, I could do everything, and I've never been in the ring with somebody, who had it all. That's what makes him the best fighter I've been in the ring with."
The Best I Faced: Shawn Porter
Former welterweight champion Shawn Porter speaks to The Ring about the best fighters he faced throughout his 13-year career.
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Porter gives more credit to Crawford for that fight than the Crawford detractors do lol
UpAndComing
Veteran
I remember it like it was yesterday
Before the fight:
- Oh Terence Crawford should have never taken the fight
- Shawn Porter is gonna bully him. He had a tough fight with Spence, Porter is going to do the same thing
- Crawford gets hit, Porter gonna knock Crawford down
- Crawford better not do that switching sh*t with Porter
After the fight:
- Oh man, his daddy stopped the fight
- Shawn Porter was a podcaster when he faced Crawford
- He was one foot out of retirement
Even PBC and the Spence brigade thought that Porter will win the fight. Spence showed up to the fight and was thinking of entering the ring so him and Shawn can do a face off, and do a rematch. But when Crawford ended up winning....
