Shawn Porter smiles when asked about the odds for pay per view fight against Terence Crawford on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Most stores have Crawford as a 6-1 or 7-1 favorite to successfully defend his welterweight title, which are wide numbers in boxing and perhaps surprising given the success of the team. Porter’s track record during his 13-year professional career.
“Some people will win money, some people will lose money. Bet wisely,” Porter told Boxing Junkie.
Porter (31-3-1, 17 KOs) has one of the most profound resumes in the division, with matches against Julio Diaz, Devon Alexander, Paulie Malignaggi, Kell Brook, Adrien Broner, Keith Thurman, Andre Berto, Danny Garcia, Yordenis Ugas, Danny Garcia and Errol Spence Jr.
And all three of his losses — to Brook, Thurman and Spence — were close-quarters decisions, meaning he’s never left a fight.
His performance against Spence, in September 2019, was particularly impressive even though he ended up wrong majority decision. He was essentially fighting an equal opponent, which underscored his own reputation as an elite talent.
At the same time, he squandered an opportunity to score the biggest goal of his career. He doesn’t want the same thing to happen again on Saturday.
“I’ve been to a few Super Bowls. This is a Super Bowl game. … I feel as if if I didn’t win this Super Bowl, it would be an effect of Dan Marino on my career,” said Porter, referring to the amazing Miami Dolphins quarterback, who has never been to the Miami Dolphins. Now win the big game.
“People would say he was really good, he fought with all the best, but he couldn’t beat the best. I cannot allow that.”
Porter admits it won’t be easy. He has always admired Crawford’s all-round ability. That doesn’t change.
He simply believes he has the tools to beat anyone, as he has proven time and time again. Even those who had defeated him had to go through hell to do so, the result of his swarm, yet intelligent fighting style.
Porter talking about Crawford. “I think I’m better off being billed. I have everything needed. That’s it. I think who I am as a boxer, who I am as a boxer and what kind of person I am… it’s the invisible things that are needed to defeat someone like Terence Crawford.
“…And it will open the door for more big fights to take place in the welterweight division.”
One question that comes into the fray revolves around whether Porter can be spread too thinly. He embarked on a successful broadcasting career, including the Olympics in Tokyo. And he has a weekly podcast.
Can a boxer juggle two careers and focus on what he needs to do in the ring, especially against someone as talented as Crawford?
No problem, Porter insisted. He’s ready, just like he was when he fought Spence.
“This is for me,” he said. “I put everything else on the rear burner. Everyone understands what I’m doing. I’m working for NBC. They say, ‘We’ll wait for you to finish.’ Fox is also waiting for me to finish this. Podcasts too.
“Nothing else matters to me but winning.”
