Former welterweight champ Shawn Porter trains inside of the H.I.T. Factory Gym in Las Vegas (Photo: Chris Robinson)
By Chris Robinson
These days, you will find former IBF welterweight champion Shawn Porter inside of the H.I.T. Factory Gym in Las Vegas, Nevada, as he has returned to training following his lone professional defeat.
On Aug. 16, Porter dropped a majority-decision to British upstart Kell Brook over twelve tense and awkward rounds but he has seemed to brush off that particular setback as he eyes another run in 2015.
Before the year closes, one of Porter’s former sparring mates, Manny Pacquiao, has a very big assignment on his horizon, as he meets junior welterweight titlist Chris Algieri on Nov. 22 in Macau, China.
Porter has sparred several rounds with Pacquiao over the years and honestly seems unsure what to think of the challenge of Algieri.
“It’s going to be a good fight, man,” Porter told me recently. “I think a lot of people are counting Chris out and they shouldn’t be counting him out. I think he’s going to get in the ring and show his good boxing skills that we saw against [Ruslan] Provodnikov and I think Manny’s going to do what he always does.”
Porter expects Pacquiao, 35, to get his hands raised by the end of the evening.
“He’s going to be quick, he’s going to be powerful, and he’s going to use that southpaw [stance] to his advantage,” Porter said of his friend. “I think Manny will win the fight. I think it’s going to be a decision though.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it is,” Porter said moments later, changing up his tune slightly about a possible stoppage victory from Pacquiao.
Having set foot inside of Algieri’s training camp out in Las Vegas, you instantly can spot the confidence coming from his team. And while Porter has no doubt what kind of temperament the 30-year old champion will bring into the ring with him, he’s just not sure if it will be enough.
“I think Chris has all that it takes to step up to the plate. Does he have what it takes to beat Manny? I don’t know.
Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com
