Former IBF welterweight champion ?Showtime? Shawn Porter is waiting for his shot at another title, as he has won 2 elimination bouts to get to his current position and he believes it?s time for his to get his chance at the belt. With Keith Thurman being out due to injury, Porter is now in a position to face Danny Garcia for a potentially vacant belt. The WBC has yet to make an official decision, but all signs point to Thurman losing his status as champion.
In my ?On The Ropes? boxing radio interview with Shawn Porter I discuss with him his last appearance in the ring and the chances he gets to fight for a belt soon. I get his views on Keith Thurman and talk about the potential for facing Danny Garcia next. Shawn also talks about his growth as a fighter and gives his views on Manny Pacquiao?s upcoming return to the ring. Here is what Shawn Porter had to say.
Jenna J: You returned to the ring last November and you had a very good performance against Adrian Granados. When are you looking to get back into the ring?
Shawn Porter: I don?t know right now. I understand Keith?s situation and I can?t wait. We planned to fight him after we fought Adrian Granados without the understanding of when but also understanding that if it wasn?t going to come soon enough, then we would entertain taking another fight.
I would love to get back in the ring this summer in June, July or August at the latest. It?s not going to be Keith Thurman, it?s gotta be another big fight. Hopefully Mauricio Sulaiman does the right thing and hopefully it?s for the WBC title.
Jenna J: Seeing as Keith Thurman hasn?t fought in over a year, do you think it would be proper to make him the champion in recess and have you and Danny Garcia fight for the belt? Would that be a fair assessment of the situation?
Shawn Porter: That?s a completely fair assessment, I think it?s the right move to make. I?m not going to step on Mr. Sulaiman?s toes, I?m going to disrespect him or tell him what to do, but at the end of the day, I do think a fight between myself and Danny Garcia makes sense with or without a belt, but if you want to entertain the fact that the WBC title has been at bay for a while because Keith has been unable to fight.
If you?re not giving Keith a mandatory time to defend his belt, then his belt needs to be vacated. After his belt is vacated I think there?s only two people who should be fighting for that title and that?s myself and Danny Garcia. I think that fight makes sense on paper and for the fans.
Jenna J: Outside of Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia, what are your thoughts on Errol Spence and Jeff Horn?
Shawn Porter: We?ve seen what Errol Spence has done, he?s looked very great as of late in his last two outings, getting the belt and defending it. He?s definitely deserving of the IBF title and having that number one spot in the welterweight division.
On the other hand you have Jeff Horn who we haven?t seen the best of yet. We saw Jeff Horn, in my opinion, luck up and get a decision and win the WBO title. Since then we haven?t seen his defence ? at least I haven?t seen his defence.
I?m definitely looking forward to that fight with him and Terence Crawford. I know Terence just pulled out with an injury but I think that would be a good fight and it?s a fight that Terence Crawford will win and will become the WBO champion here at welterweight now.
Jenna J: A fight between Lucas Matthysse and Manny Pacquiao was recently announced, what do you think of that fight?
Shawn Porter: I?ll be honest, I?ve seen Lucas Matthysse in a few exciting fights but outside of that, I never really cared too much for his boxing style or his fights. I think that we are really going to find out if Manny has anything left at all. You got a guy in Lucas Matthysse who can take a punch and definitely deliver one. He has experience and he?s no slouch.
Manny Pacquiao has put on great performances over the years, but as of late, has really taken some steps down the ladder. I think if Manny dominates Matthysse, I think it shows that Manny has something left to offer this sport. If it?s close, depending on how Manny looks, we?ll find out whether or not Manny has anything left at all. I am looking forward to the fight just because of the fact that it?s Manny Pacquiao. I?ve always enjoyed watching him fight. Even though I?d like to see him give the sport up from the competitive side, I am looking forward to seeing what he has left.
