Shawn Porter is Checking Names Off the List
By: Kirk Jackson
Shawn Porter 26-2-1 (16 KO’s) fell a bit short in his bid for another world title, losing to WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman 27-0 (22 KO’s) in a closely contested bout, which is surely a leading candidate for the fight of the year.
After such a grueling affair, it’s expected both combatants would probably prefer a break to recuperate from the battle. Porter is different from the norm.
While Thurman appears open to a rematch with Porter down the line, his eyes seem locked in on current WBC welterweight champion Danny Garcia 32-0 (18 KO’s). Thurman has the goal of unification within the division, in addition to defeating another father/son duo.
While the intent of unification should be applauded, who knows how long that process will take, if the match-up between Thurman and Garcia even takes place?
Also to take into consideration, the WBA ordered the winner of the Thurman vs. Porter fight to face interim WBA welterweight champion David Avanesyan 22-1-1 (11 KO’s).
The father/son duo of Kenny and Shawn Porter has other plans.
“I don’t want to sit out for six to eight months, definitely not another year,” said head trainer Kenny Porter in an interview with FightHype.
“It is his [Shawn] livelihood to work out; this is what he does. We’re ready to go, we will be ready to go in 90 days. The only reason I’m saying 90 days is because I know it will take at least that much of a promotion for them to put a fight together.”
According to Kenny Porter, head trainer and father to Shawn, there is a hit list of names he would like to see his son battle.
The Porter Hit List:
✓ Keith Thurman
✓ Adrien Broner
✓ Paulie Malignaggi
o Danny Garcia
o Andre Berto
o John Molina
o Ruslan Provodnikov
o Brandon Rios
Out of the eight names on the list, Shawn Porter fought three and defeated two. The chances of Porter securing a rematch with Broner and Malignaggi appear unlikely.
Malignaggi has an upcoming bout towards the end of the month against Gabriel Bracero (hopefully a retirement bout), it may be safe to say Malignaggi probably does not want to re-enter the house of pain that is Shawn Porter.
From a stylistic standpoint, Broner would be better off avoiding a return bout with Porter. Broner has yet to develop an alternate strategy for dealing with constant aggression, which is something Porter excels at.
As mentioned earlier, Thurman has plans for Garcia. Speaking of Garcia, he may be in talks to fight Andre Berto, another name off the Porter hit list.
John Molina is coming off an impressive performance, recently defeating Ruslan Provodnikov. Either Molina or Provodnikov is a viable option and a likely win for Porter. The only issue could be the discussion of weight.
Porter is a welterweight, while Molina and Provodnikov are a weight class lower at junior welterweight. The last name to be addressed on the hit list and probably the most likely match-up is Brandon Rios.
Rios is a welterweight, currently does not have a fight although he is training, is looking for an opponent and has the perfect style to suit Porter and the fans.
Win, lose or draw, Rios likes to come forward and is very aggressive. Porter and Rios have similar styles with slight distinctions; both fighters are comparable height/size and with their arm reach. The match-up has fight of the year written all over it.
Something to keep in mind, Porter is still ranked as the No. 2 welterweight according to the WBA. Porter may want to consider adding Avanesyan to the list and challenging him.
It’s uncertain if Thurman will fight his mandatory next. They may strip Thurman, give him an extension, force a title eliminator between Avanesyan and Porter, either way, Porter can be placed in a position of benefit.
As time unfolds we’ll see what transpires. What do you make of Porter’s hit list? Who would you like to see Porter face next?