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On Saturday September 28th, there will be an unification title match in the welterweight division as the WBC Welterweight Champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter (30-2-1) with 17 knockouts, takes on the IBF Welterweight Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. (25-0) with 21 KO’s, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The card will be televised on Fox Pay Per View starting at 9 p.m. EST.
Porter and Spence have both lived up to their nicknames going into this big time match-up. Porter in his last two fights defeated contenders Danny Garcia and Yordenis Ugas. “Showtime,” who ironically is known for his not-so-flashy technique has been able to switch it up in his last few fights, showing a more skillful and eye pleasing style.
Porter was able to outbox Garcia and Ugas from the outside. Porter had to adjust during those matches, sometimes leading with the jab and other times counter punching. Porter has evolved from a mauler to a boxer and may have to go back to mauling to have a chance against Spence.
There is nothing false about the skill of Spence: he is in fact, “The Truth”. In his last bout he took a major step in becoming one of boxing’s biggest stars when he dismantled fellow top tier pound for pound star, Mikey Garcia.
Garcia moved up from 135 pounds to take on Spence and he may have regretted that decision right away. It was clear from the opening bell that Garcia was no match for Spence. Spence dominated with his jab, keeping it in Garcia’s face all night and no matter what Garcia did, he was not able to crack Spence’s code.
We have a match-up here where both fighters are in their primes. Porter is 31 years old, Spence is 29. Each fighter is fighting at the best we have seen them in their careers. This is perfectly set up to be a win for boxing fans.
Keys to the Fight for Shawn Porter:
1.) Don’t Get Cute
In his past few fights, Shawn Porter has been able to show his boxing skills and fight more on the outside. In this bout he will not be the more skilled fighter. If he tries to prove himself as a boxer, Porter will find himself on the bad end of a decision.
2.) High Work Rate
Porter threw more punches than his opponent Yordenis Ugas in his last bout as Porter threw a total of 515 punches. Against most welterweights that is a great work rate but against Spence he will need to do more to make him uncomfortable. He may have to double the amount of punches he threw against Ugas.
3.) Don’t Call It A Comeback
Porter is known for being a rough and tough fighter. Sometimes his fights have not been the most entertaining as he was mauling and pushing to get position as well as making his opponent uncomfortable. If Porter allows Spence to get in a rhythm it will be a long night for the man they call “Showtime.”
Keys to the Fight for Errol Spence Jr
1.) Be The Boxer
There has been a lot of trash talk leading up to this bout where Errol Spence Jr has guaranteed a knockout of Shawn Porter. Now of course there is always this type of talk to help create interest in a fight prior to the match-up but neither of these guys are known for their showmanship outside the ring so when Spence says he wants to knockout Porter, he means it. Spence can not get out of character and leave himself open for counter punches.
2.) Pap, Pap,….Pow!
One of the things that get lost in boxing or in combat sports in general is that not every punch or strike is thrown with bad intentions. A lot of the punches thrown during a fight or thrown to set up other strikes. Spence does a great job of this as he keeps the jab in his opponents face. Against Mikey Garcia, Spence threw 618 jabs which is more than the total amount of punches Porter threw in his last bout.
3.) Don’t Change
Spence threw a total of 1,082 punches in his last bout. If he matches that output it will put in a great position to control the match-up with Porter. Porter wants to make his opponent uncomfortable but won’t be able to do that while trying to dodge punches.
Prediction
Errol Spence Jr is the more skilled boxer while also being the naturally bigger fighter with a reach advantage. Spence will use that long southpaw jab to keep Shawn Porter at bay. Porter will have to go back to his old tactics of mauling and wrestling on the inside but that will not throw off Spence. Spence wins a very entertaining bout by unanimous decision, 116-112.