::DEEP SOUTH BOXING::

Porter's Attention To Detail Promises Bright Future In Ring

Light middleweight prospect Shawn Porter celebrates after a recent victory in Tunica, MS. (Photo credit: Team Porter)

By Randy Hammons
Editor

Light middleweight prospect Shawn Porter knows all about intense preparation before a big fight.

It was just that detailed preparation that carried him to a much decorated amateur career. The attention to detail has carried over in his early professional career.

The 22-year-old Porter, an Akron, OH native, and Prize Fight Boxing stable member, was an alternate on the 2008 United States Olympic Team. He won the 2007 Golden Gloves National and World Championships on the way to a gaudy 276-14 amateur record.

Ten fights into his professional career, the hard-hitting, fast-handed Porter is 10-0 with 8 knockouts. Porter headlines for the first time as a pro on Saturday (Nov. 21) when he meets Florida's Jerome Ellis (12-9-2, 10 KOs) on Prize Fight's "Boxing's Future Champions III" card from Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel in Tunica, MS. The Porter-Ellis clash is scheduled for eight rounds. Or less.

"I'm looking forward to it and know everyone down in the Memphis-Tunica area are too," Porter told Deep South Boxing by telephone. from Hollywood, CA where he has been in training. "I've done headliners in the amateurs for years, so I know how to handle it mentally. I'm just more excited than anything. I know what all goes into this."

And that includes a haircut on Wednesday.

"I've got to look fresh for the fight," Porter said with a chuckle.

Of course, Porter's vast amateur experience has carried over to the professional ranks.

"My ring knowledge, ring generalship and basically being prepared for anything my opponent does in the ring has carried over," Porter said. "I've seen a lot of styles in the amateurs. It's all the same to me. It hasn't been a problem to me so far."

Porter said his quickness in the ring is his best asset. He said there are still areas in which improvement is needed. But he said those aspects are coming along.

"I need to settle down more in the ring and recognize what some of these pros do," Porter said. "I need to recognize things like when a head butt or a hold is coming."

Porter has spent the last three weeks in Hollywood, CA working out at trainer Freddie Roach's famed Wild Card Gym. Porter was one of Manny Pacquiao's sparring partners before last weekend's WBO Welterweight championship fight against Miguel Cotto. Pacquaio won by TKO in the 12th round. Porter plans to leave Hollywood Thursday (Nov. 19).

"That was very valuable experience working with Pacquaio," Porter said. "I watched what it takes to be a champion. I learned a lot from watching his work ethic to his techniques. Freddie Roach has been a great help. He helped me improve on things my dad works with me on. Being in the ring with him has been great.

"No, I really haven't gone Hollywood," Porter said to an obvious question. "Hollywood has an unbelievable ambiance. Sparring with everybody in there is a pro and the competition is always good."

As for the 31-year-old Ellis, Porter said he pretty much knows what to expect. Ellis has been stopped in only one fight. Ellis fought to a draw with highly-regarded Richard Gutierrez and lost close decisions against world title challengers such as Mikey Rodriguez and Irving Garcia. His lone stoppage loss (TKO 4) came in 2004 against Edwin Algarin (currently 10-7-1, 6 KOs).

"I know Ellis is a tough guy. I've asked around. I know he has been in there with a lot of tough competition, so he knows how to handle himself in the ring" Porter said. "I've planned for a few things. He has some speed in his hands. I hear he likes to exchange a little bit. He's right there to be hit. That's what I hear."

With 18 knockouts between Porter and Ellis, Porter insisted it is he who will win by the knockout should one occur.

"I start fast. I think I have the upper hand being younger," Porter said. "The knockout hand is probably on my side of the ring."

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