Photo by Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions
Billed as ‘The Battle for Ohio,” Adrien “The Problem” Broner (30-1 22, KOs) and “Showtime” Shawn Porter (25-1, 16 KOs) will clash at the MGM Grand on Saturday evening as both fighters aim to reaffirm themselves as elite fighters in the welterweight division.
It’s an intriguing contest, with both fighters having suffered devastating world title defeats earlier on in their careers, forcing the two on a rebuilding journey that culminates in this 50/50 matchup.
Billed as the successor to Floyd Mayweather, Broner’s meteoric rise was halted by Marcos Maidana in December 2013, suffering a unanimous points defeat where he was sent to the canvas twice, losing his WBA welterweight belt in the process.
He’s regarded as one of the most hated boxers in the sport, and the delight of his defeat for many was embedded in the sour scenes when litter was launched at the distraught Broner when leaving the ring.
Porter, who unexpectedly ousted Devon Alexander to capture the IBF welterweight belt, fell to current champion Kell Brook in August of last year.
These devastating defeats set up a series of winnable fights for the two, with Broner producing three unanimous point victories over Carlos Molina, Emmanuel Taylor and most recently John Molina Jr. Porter destroyed Erick Bone in five rounds.
It’s certainly a make-or-break fight for Porter, who’s awkward, rough and tough style doesn’t have the same marketability as love or hate him Broner, who’s flashy combinations, natural boxing ability and crude personality makes him a promoters dream.
But the main talking point in the build up to bout is that it’s being fought at a 144 pound catch weight limit, a prevalent issue which relaxes the boundaries of what weight fighters can meet at.
The most recent case was Miguel Cotto’s successful middleweight defense against Daniel Geale, with the latter being forced to fight three pounds below the middleweight limit.
This will give Broner the advantage if it drains Porter’s superior strength, which is expected to give him the most problems come fight night.
Tale of the Tape
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The tale of the tape doesn’t reveal much into where the fight will be won and loss. Despite the extra one inch in height advantage, Porter will take the position of come forward fighter and showed in both the Devon Alexander and Kell Brook fights he favors dipping his head low and attacking the body.
In the rounds boxed department, a difference in experience won’t be a factor in the outcome of the fight. Although Porter has demonstrated his ability to retain the pace in close, high profile contests.
Neither have power to force a one punch stoppage but are able to wear down opponents through an accumulation of accurate shots.
Strengths for Each Fighter
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Adrien Broner will have to dictate the pace with his dazzling attacks and quick jab if he is to dishearten Shawn Porter.
In his last contest with John Molina, Broner won the center of the ring and utilized his hand speed and pin-point accuracy, telegraphing the right hand of Molina to secure a straightforward victory.
He performs well when confident, and we know he has bundles of it. He simply can’t afford to be bullied by Porter and has to use his footwork to stay on the outside, whilst delivering those innovative combinations.
It’s inevitable that Porter will find some success, but Broner has to show significant improvements from the Marcos Maidana fight by spoiling and smothering his work on the inside.
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Shawn Porter’s awkwardness and supreme strength on the inside will be pivotal to his success.
If he can swarm Adrien Broner with a measured mix of sickening shots to the head and body, and dominate him on the ropes, he could wear down his foe and force a late stoppage.
It’s a straightforward case of producing an abundance of punishment that Marcos Maidana dealt if he wants to deal with “The Problem.”
Weaknesses for Each Fighter
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Adrien Broner’s weaknesses are evident from looking at the Marcos Maidana fight–he struggles to deal with pressure fighters.
He was caught up in being labelled as the next Floyd Mayweather, employing his style of counter punching and the famous shoulder roll which proved to be his ultimate downfall.
He can’t let Shawn Porter dominate and push him against the ropes because like Maidana as he will be relentless in launching flurries of hellacious shots.
Admittedly, Broner is exceptionally skilful, but he has to know who he is as a fighter and play to those assets if he wants to bleed out all of his potential.
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Shawn Porter’s strengths are consequently his weaknesses, and this will be detrimental to his chance of winning.
Kell Brook was able to quell the attacks of Porter who left himself open to counters, and score the effective and more eye-catching shots that led him to capturing world title.
If he believes he can walk in straight lines and land hard shots on Adrien Broner then it will be a disastrous night, with another defeat etched on his record.
Prediction
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The blueprints for each fighter to clinch a victory are in place, and it’s whoever can emulate their prospective game plan successfully that will propel them back into the elite.
But Adrien Broner has had three successful victories since his defeat and I believe his wounds will have healed considerably in comparison to Shawn Porter, who didn’t have to demonstrate any re-invigoration to stop his last opponent, Erick Bone.
He did what he showed in many fights previous–march forward, landing vicious shots against a fighter he was expected to maul.
This bout will certainly be a testament to how much knowledge Broner has assimilated from the Marcos Maidana fight, and how he can counter act that same style which Porter will employ.
However, Porter is too crude and lacks the necessary skills to dominate Broner, who’s masterful boxing skills will prove more favorable to the judges.
The catch weight too, could play a factor in the outcome of the fight if Porter doesn’t have the same urgency and spite in his attacks.
However, it shouldn’t be held against Broner if he wins because Porter agreed to fight at the 144 pound catch weight limit. With no allure of a world title fight on the line, in contrast to the Miguel Cotto-Daniel Geale fight, Porter wouldn’t have took the fight if he didn’t think he could win it.
A defeat for Porter will be more damaging to his prospects of a long career at the pinnacle because of his unpalatable style. He’s considered as one of the good guys in boxing, but Broner has characterized himself as a fighter who people want to see lose, and lose badly. His style too, is one that fight fans find appealing and will continue to buy tickets and tune in for.
The fight should go the distance. Broner showed heart in adversity after being sent to the canvas twice in the Maidana fight, and Porter has a solid chin. But the longer the fight proceeds the more likely that Porter will have success in swarming Broner, who’s courage should be tested again in an exhilarating contest.
Styles make fights and this one will be explosive throughout it’s duration, with the dynamics constantly changing. But I expect Broner to prove his critics wrong and to win via a close unanimous points victory, reestablishing himself as a supreme talent in the glittering welterweight division.
