Both Shawn Porter and Kell Brook, who meet August 16 at The StubHub Center in Carson, CA. are brimming with confidence. The two fighters are undefeated in a combined 56 bouts.
Porter (24-0-1, 15 KOs) will be making the second defense of his IBF welterweight title.
He won the belt last year by outpointing Devon Alexander over 12 rounds. His victory was something of a surprise.
Most predicted that the clever Alexander would get the better of him, but it was Porter who outworked his opponent throughout the bout.
He next faced former two-time champion Paulie Malignaggi. Porter attacked from the opening bell, surprising Malignaggi with his quickness and power.
Though he never stopped trying, Malignaggi had no comeback and crumbled to the canvas in round four.
Brook (34-0, 22 KOs) has stopped his last four opponents, but his competition pales next to Porter. Brook was supposed to get a shot at Alexander’s title before Porter did, but injuries to both men forced cancellations on three different occasions.
The twenty-six-year old Porter has steadily shown improvement in his game.
After a draw with Julio Diaz two years ago, he fought Diaz in a rematch ten months later. Porter dominated at times and came away with a unanimous decision victory. He then surprised Alexander and annihilated Malagnaggi.
Could the native of Akron, Ohio, be entering his prime?
“Honestly, I would say yes,” Porter said during a conference call. “I don't really know what age you're considered in your prime or anything like that, I don't follow statistics. Nothing about me is statistical.”
Brook, 28, is aware that most U.S. boxing fans have never seen him fight. Will his skill surprise them?
“I don't think they'll be surprised,” Brook said. ”They're going to see what Kell Brook can really do, and, in fact, everyone around the world is going to see why they do call me "The Special One." And you're going to see me at my best.”
Porter believes that his fighting pedigree will be too much for Brook to handle.
“Yes, I feel that all the experience that I had in the amateurs has been great for me and has made me what I am as a pro,” said Porter. “The experience that I've had now as a pro has got me to the point that I'm at right now where I just feel very comfortable.”
Brook is coming to America for one reason--to win.
“I'm a big welterweight and strong and determined,” Brook said. “I think that he (Porter) can maybe see it in my eyes that I'm not coming to lay down, I'm coming to lay it on the line.”
Style-wise you couldn’t ask for two more diverse fighters.
Porter is short, but powerfully built. He uses a crouch which makes him a hard target. He prefers staying on the outside and using his quickness. Then suddenly he’ll attack an opponent, throwing punches in bunches to the head and body.
Brook, two inches taller at 5’9,” assumes a more upright stance. His quick hands pack power. He’s an accurate puncher who can take out an opponent with one blow. He also has a pretty decent jab.
Porter is the more flexible fighter while Brook has an edge in power. As the match moves into the later stages, his pressure will likely be too much for Brook to handle, leading to a late stoppage.
Check back with maxboxing.com and doghouseboxing.com for more articles on this fight and many more.
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