Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
On Saturday April 19, 2014, Shawn “Showtime” Porter faces Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi in a 12-round Welterweight bout at the DC Armory in Washington, DC.
The fight will be Porter’s first defense of his IBF Welterweight title, which he won by outgunning former champion Devon Alexander in Brooklyn on December 7, 2013.
Porter holds an impressive amateur record of 276-14 (per ShawnPorterBoxing.com) and has also won numerous amateur championships.
In short, he’s not new to the game.
Even though he’s a well-accomplished amateur, undefeated as a professional and has even been a main sparring partner for the legendary Manny Pacquiao, it’s not until his most recent victory over Alexander that people have really started to pay close attention to the rising star from Akron, Ohio.
Round By Round Boxing caught up with Porter as he prepares to take on a tough veteran in Malignaggi.
Read on for Porter’s thoughts on his upcoming fight, Keith Thurman vs. Julio Diaz and who the best Welterweights in the world are today.
Round By Round Boxing: Shawn, thanks for taking the time to speak with us during training. How does it feel being world champion? Being that this is your first training camp going in as IBF champion are you looking at things differently or preparing in a different way?
Shawn Porter: Being a champion is great! I’m really loving life right now. But my camp is the same! We are all working as hard as ever to look the best we’ve ever looked against Paulie [Malignaggi].
RBRBoxing: Do people treat you differently—whether it’s media, fans, or other fighters—now that you’re a world champion?
SP: My name has changed from “Shawn” to “Champ” lol. That’s about it.
RBRBoxing: When Paulie Malignaggi says things like “he doesn’t have the tools or experience to beat me” do you think he is underestimating you?
SP: I think he’s saying whatever he can to get people on his side. Paulie knows all about me and he knows that’s not true. Smoke and mirrors.
RBRBoxing: What do you have to say about Malignaggi calling your boxing skills “pretty basic” and will your game plan really just be to walk through Paulie or are you planning to box some as well?
SP: Basically I’m gonna beat his ass! You’ll see the game plan on fight night!
RBRBoxing: In your opinion, who are the top fighters in the Welterweight division?
SP: Myself, Floyd [Mayweather], Manny [Pacquiao], Timothy [Bradley], Keith [Thurman].
RBRBoxing: Keith Thurman is facing Julio Diaz (who you beat) in his next fight on April 26. Thurman recently said that Diaz is simply a “measuring stick” and that he would rather have faced anyone in the top 10. Many fans have voiced their displeasure with that fight as well, saying that Diaz does not deserve a chance versus Thurman. Having fought Diaz twice, do you think he poses a threat to Thurman?
SP: A guy like Diaz is always a threat. I don’t necessarily think he should have a shot at Keith, but he still has the ability to make some things happen.
Photo by Naoki Fukada
RBRBoxing: Do you think Malignaggi is deserving of this chance against you? Should he be getting a shot at your IBF title?
SP: Well he just had a title and he’s 2-3 in his last few fights, so yes I think he does.
RBRBoxing: A lot of ringsiders and “experts” were surprised about how you took the fight to Devon Alexander and soundly defeated him. At 26 years old are you at your peak right now or is there more to Shawn Porter that we have yet to see?
SP: Both. I’m at my peak and healthiest every fight night. But, I still have much to learn and put out on fight night.
RBRBoxing: Where can people follow you online?
SP: People can follow me at @ShowtimeShawnP on Twitter and Instagram and on my fan page on www.facebook.com/showtimeshawnp
RBRBoxing: Any last words for your fans?
SP: To my fans, I love you! I work my butt off in training to provide you the best, most exciting product in the ring. Please continue to show love. Check out Showtime Welcome Home, the short documentary done on my return to Ohio after the title. Wherever you’re at in the world, if you’re showing love, you’re Team Porter! God Bless!
Showtime Welcome Home Official Trailer
SHAWN “SHOWTIME” PORTER DEFENDS HIS IBF WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE AGAINST FORMER TWO TIME TWO DIVISION CHAMPION PAULIE “MAGIC MAN” MALIGNAGGI ON SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014 AT THE DC ARMORY IN WASHINGTON, D.C AND WILL AIR LIVE ON SHOWTIME.
Header photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
