Truth versus Showtime: Is Errol Spence versus Shawn Porter Next on the IBF Horizon?

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 

At 22-0, 27-year-old southpaw World Welterweight champion Errol ‘The Truth’ Spence Jr. must now defend his International Boxing Federation title, won this past weekend in England by stopping Kell Brook. While Manny Pacquiao and Danny Garcia are out here and available, Shawn ‘Showtime’ Porter would make a great first defense by Spence at Barclays Center. Keith Thurman is currently out of action for six months due to a recent shoulder surgery. Porter, age 29, 27-2-1, who stopped Andre Berto in the ninth round last month, could present serious problems for the still developing Spence.

 

Porter’s father and trainer, Kenny Porter, was Errol’s amateur coach for the USA National team and international competition in the amateurs, and has remained one of Errol’s closest trusted advisors. Porter thinks a match between him and Errol is unlikely for that reason. This reporter thinks a match between Spence and Porter is likely for the same reason, because there is a relationship and the details could be agreed upon. Porter lost to Brook, Errol beat Brook.

 

Porter, however, has perhaps the best understanding of Brook’s fighting style and how to defeat it.  According to Porter, after Spence stopped Brook, “Errol is a very unique kid and a very unique athlete. You would think (at this point) Errol is going to get better (in ability), and I am not sure the rest of the division know what they’ve got on their hands (right) now.  If they (the best welterweights in the world) want to fight Errol, they will have seen they have to fight him. Errol does not back down, stop or quit, and you will have to fight him if you want to beat him. Sometimes you think it’s going to work out (the game plan to beat your opponent) but it doesn’t.”

 

The game plan would be the key. The public wants excitement and action, and Spence versus Brook would provide it. The question as to whether or not Porter wants a rematch with Thurman, or would go after Spence, remains to be seen. Spence versus Porter would certainly be a pay-per-view main event extravaganza.

 

Porter stands 5’7” with a 69 1’2 reach, with a knack for getting inside on his opponents. Spence, 5’9 ½ tall with a 72 inch reach, would have to prevent that. Porter seemed to do well in the first half of his bout with Thurman, then lost focus and concentration at times, keeping the bout closer than it should be. Porter beat Adrien Broner easily, but still got dropped in the 12th and final round of their bout. In a 12 round technically fought world title bout with the talented Spence, there will be no guarantees. Brook took a knee against Spence, and essentially gave up. Porter has a magnificent heart and will not be broken so easily. Spence versus Porter could go life and death, with the winner taking control of the 147 pound division, and the loser’s stock reduced considerably.

 

Spence is young, and executes his game plan of patiently breaking down his opponents to perfection. Porter has contempt for all high profile high ability opponent who steps in front of him, and Spence represents the ultimate challenge. Spence versus Porter is a dream matchup tailor made to the worldwide public. Make it happen. Spence needs to step it up to the ‘super’ category of opposition. Get real. Shawn Porter ain’t no pushover, and Spence versus Porter could be the 2017 fight of the year, a soul explosion pro boxing desperately needs. Again, the game plan for Porter would be to get inside on Spence, and perhaps cut off the ring and work him over on the hopes. Porter has a cut of experience one level above Spence, and knows how to use it well. For Spence versus Porter, the timing if exactly right.

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