Photo by Ismael Gallardo/RBRBoxing
Saturday, June 20, 2015, Premier Boxing Champions on NBC returns to primetime at 8:30 pm, EST, with a 12-round headlining attraction featuring Adrien “The Problem” Broner taking on “Showtime” Shawn Porter.
Broner and Porter–each man having suffered one loss in his career–will be meeting at a 144-pound catch weight.
Before the two fighters go head-to-head in the ring, RBRBoxing’s Senior Writer Lou Catalano and Editor-in-Chief Alex Burgos give their keys to victory for each man.
Read on for RBRBoxing’s Head-to-Head Discussion: Broner vs. Porter and let us know who you think will win this fight.
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.
Key #2 for Shawn Porter
Control the Pace (Turn Up)
By Alex Burgos
Not only does Shawn Porter want to be awkward, he also wants to force Adrien Broner to fight at a fast pace. Now, with the catch weight situation, getting too turnt up could potentially come back to bite Porter in the ass, but allowing Broner to dictate the pace, feint and pot shot his way around the ring will be a sure way to lose for Porter.
During the media conference call on Monday, Porter briefly mentioned what he plans to do to try and rattle Broner. “We look to do more of what [Marcos] Maidana did. Not mimic him exactly, but just remember the pressure is what got him,” said Porter.
EXACTLY. Pressure Broner and good things will happen. But, Porter has to be ready to cut the ring off, because if he runs around chasing Broner for four or five rounds he could easily run out of gas–especially with the weight restrictions.
Porter must come forward, lead with his jab and get into Broner’s chest, not letting the Cincinnati native settle in and dictate the slower pace he will want to employ.
It’s easier said than done–as John Molina’s ineffectiveness showed us–but Porter’s motor will be key to securing a win.
Key #2 for Adrien Broner
Throw the Hands, Dammit!
Photo by Stephanie Trapp/Showtime
By Lou Catalano
Adrien Broner’s most maddening trait is his frequent insistence on keeping his hands in his pockets. He loses rounds and lets guys into fights by doing this.
Now Shawn Porter lunges in with all the subtlety of Ricardo Mayorga on crystal meth, so he’ll be WIDE OPEN to eat counter shots all night. If Broner would simply fire away, he’ll bust Porter up all night long.
Broner has yet to make good on all that promise, but this fight is the perfect opportunity to do it. Porter is a very good fighter, but there are holes in his game that a guy with Broner’s skills should be able to exploit. Let’s see if AB can finally put it together.
Header photo edit by Lorin Elise
