Key #1 for Shawn Porter Be Awkward
Photo by Al Bello
By Alex Burgos
When this fight was announced it took me a bit by surprise. Adrien Broner did not have a fun stint at 147–struggling with Paulie Malignaggi and getting blasted by Marcos Maidana–and with Shawn Porter’s frame he could campaign at Heavyweight (just kidding, kind of). So why meet in the middle at a 144 pound catch weight?
This matchup seems kind of odd which ever way you spin it, but the bottom line is that they’re both talented “around” the Welterweight division and they’re both looking to make a big impression by beating a marquee name. So how will Porter get things done against “The Problem?”
Porter needs to take some pointers from the Marcos Maidana school of kick ass. Effective aggression is not exactly the best term to describe this key because Porter needs to be able to throw caution to the wind and get off shots from all angles, at any time–more like the Tasmanian Devil. Even if Porter isn’t particularly landing flush shots early on, if he’s on top of Broner and making him uncomfortable that’ll be a great start to frustrating AB.
The looping overhand right is key because Broner is a sucker for it. Porter must throw it early and often. In his fights with Devon Alexander and Paulie Malignaggi, Porter came forward and imposed his will, not allowing his opponents to get comfortable and box. If Broner has been practicing his Floyd Mayweather clinch game, Porter seems to be working on wiggling loose and getting his shots off in close quarters.
“I’ve learned a lot about how to not be held and how to get guys off of you. That’s part of the process and it will be important in this fight,” said Porter during last weeks Los Angeles press conference. Porter needs to be unorthodox and make Broner’s flat-footed style work against him.
Key #1 for Adrien Broner Move Your Feet, Bruh
Photo by Tom Casino
By Lou Catalano
Adrien Broner is agile, but he often stands flat-footed and employs the shitty, stupid, only-one-guy-on-the-planet-is-good-enough-to-use-it-and-it-ain’t-you shoulder roll technique.
Shawn Porter is going to bury his skull directly into Broner’s chest cavity and start pounding through organs if he lets him. So Broner needs to move laterally and use all of the ring to force Porter into chasing him.
Standing still is only going to play directly into Porter’s hands. Now, with the 144 pound catch weight in effect, I’m thinking Porter will be absolutely weight drained and corpse-like for the bout.
If Broner can keep Porter moving, he’ll tire him out quickly.
