8CountNews sat down with rising Jr Middleweight Shawn Porter and got his thoughts on his recent 4th round TKO over Jamar Patterson. The fight was televised on Shobox, (Showtime) so Porter certainly benefited from the nationally televised coverage with this impressive victory. Porter talks about the fight, and also touches on the incredible experience that he had in the Philippines sparring with world renowned world champion, Manny Pacquiao.
8CN – Shawn thanks for joining us.
SP – How are you guys doing?
8CN – Doing great, you just got a 4th round TKO over Jamar Patterson on Showbox. Talk about the fight.
SP – Thank you, me and my dad put in a lot of work in preparation for this fight. I thought I did a great job, it was a lot of work in the gym. We didn’t stop from when I was sparring with Pacquiao. It was a great hook that got the job done, it was a great fight.
8CN – You’re promoted by Prize Fight Promotions. They are known for bringing fighters along who are fundamentally sound. You work hard on this in the gym don’t you?
SP – My dad is a fundamentalist. He tells me all of the time that I can’t get to step two and three without getting past one. Step one is the fundamentals. We work on the foundation in the gym all of the time.
8CN – You recently were in the Philippines sparring with the great Manny Pacquiao, talk about that experience.
SP – It was an incredible experience. Every bit of it was incredible. We had fun in the gym, I pushed him really hard in the gym and he gave me the same. It was just a pleasure just being in the ring with him.
8CN – Clear something up for me. Rumor had it that you knocked Manny down during sparring, is there any truth to that, or is that just a rumor?
SP – There were a lot of rumors going around, and that was one of them. I did not knock Manny down, but we pushed each other really hard in the ring, I will tell you that.
8CN – Were you nervous getting in there with Manny for the first time?
SP – When the bell rang, I said to myself, “oh my God I am about to do this,” there was a lot of excitement. I wanted to push him and make him work hard. The whole trip was just unbelievable.
8CN – Share with us how you were treated in the Philippines by the Filipino people.
SP – They treated me great, just like the Pacman. They wanted their picture with me, it was great. They are 100 percent behind their champion Manny Pacquiao so anyone that helps him along the way they are behind. I still get nice letters from the fans over there thanking me for what I did for Manny, even while I am doing my own thing now.
8CN – You felt his power, and seen how fast he is. Knowing what you know now, are you surprised at how well he is doing against these bigger fighters?
SP – He is one of the greatest of all time. He is a very special person. I am not surprised at all what he did to Miguel Cotto, he is a blessed athlete.
8CN – Back on your career, you just had a nice performance on Shobox. Talk about how key it is for you to get that nationally televised performance like that.
SP – It a pleasure to be on TV. It was 4 great rounds for me, so to come out and perform like that on that stage was an absolute thrill for me and my career.
8CN – Where do you want to be this time next year with your career?
SP – I want to be undefeated, and looking to knock some of the top guys off in the division.
8CN – Who do you think will win if Floyd and Manny fight?
SP – I am an absolute Manny Pacquiao guy now. I think he can pull it off against Mayweather. I have seen his quickness and his speed, and the power in his left hand. I think it will be a special night for Manny Pacquiao.
8CN – Thanks for joining 8CN. Do you have any closing thoughts?
SP – I want to thank you for calling me, I had a ball. To my fans, keep looking out for me.
NOTE – Don’t miss the replay of Shawn’s impressive 4th round TKO on Showbox December 24th, on Showtime at 10PM Eastern time.
