When frenemies collide this Saturday, don’t expect Errol Spence or Shawn Porter to pull any punches… or share some burgers. With two world titles, a potential shot at Manny Pacquiao and Spence’s undefeated record all on the line, a bond that goes back to the amateurs will be on the ropes. Hopefully, they’ll make up after, so we can have more wholesome moments like this:
Before the two return to sharing a happy meal, the two will be exerting maximum punishment on each other. Although Spence vs. Porter is the main course, Premier Boxing Champs’ fight card is packing a full-course meal with a number of appetizing pre-fights and an savory co-feature that has us licking our chops.
“The Truth” is out there
Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. (25-0-0) doesn’t have to win this fight to prove he’s an elite fighter. He already is one. But the 29-year-old IBF champion plans on collecting the division’s other three world titles like Thanos gathering the Infinity Stones and it starts with Porter’s WBC title. It’s a herculean task, even for a prodigious boxing talent like Spence.
Even if he rips away Porter’s championship, he still would need to beat the iconic Manny Pacquiao for the WBA belt and throw down with the undefeated P4P king Terrance Crawford for the WBO crown before he could call himself the undisputed welterweight champion. Clearing out the division means Spence, who is big enough to move up in weight, could have his own “End Game” against this generation’s top star, Canelo Alvarez in a dream fight later down the line.
Beating Porter would also give Spence his first true hallmark welterweight win, as his past elite opponents either moved up or moved down to face “The Truth.” That’s not to say his resume isn’t impressive, as he boasts victories over the dominant Mikey Garcia and the British national hero Kell Brook. Learn more about Errol Spence in his “Tale of the Tape.”
It’s “Showtime” for Shawn Porter
If you were to combine the tenacity of a pitbull, the durability of Luke Cage and the positivity of Chance the Rapper, the result would look a lot like Shawn “Showtime” Porter (30-2-1). While the 31-year-old is significantly outmatched in size, reach and skill against Spence, the fearless Porter has built a mythical reputation for slaying giants. During his time in the amateurs, “Showtime” took down significantly larger future world champs like Daniel Jacobs, Demetrius Andrade, and Oleksandr Usyk. Yeah, the same undefeated, undisputed P4P king Oleksandr Usyk who is currently fighting six weight classes above at heavyweight.
Beating Spence would open every imaginable door for Shawn Porter. He already has one of the best resumes in the division, with victories over Danny Garcia, Adrien Broner, and Yordenis Ugas. Even in his two losses, decision L’s to Kell Brook and Keith Thuman, Porter looked terrific. If he successfully spoils Spence’s quest to unify the division, “Showtime” could be fighting Manny Pacquiao himself.
David Benavidez tries to put down “The Dog”
Seven months ago, WBC super middleweight champ Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (33-1-1) contemplated retirement, feeling like he experienced everything the sport had to offer. But the reality is that the 34-year-old Dirrell has never faced anyone like David Benavidez, one of the scariest men in boxing. Two years ago, Benavidez (21-0-0) became the youngest world champion at 168 pounds, only losing his belt due to testing positive for the ‘booger sugar.”
On the last Errol Spence card, Benavidez brutalized Floyd Mayweather Jr. acolyte J’Leon Love for two rounds before the ref mercifully ended the fight. Can Dirrell stand up to the 22-year-old’s awesome package of speed and power? The gutsy 14-year vet survived cancer and has never been stopped before, only dropping a majority decision loss to Badou Jack. The two will fight in the co-main event for Dirrell’s title.
Sink or swim for Mario Barrios and Baktyr Akhmedov
The vacant “secondary” WBA super lightweight title will be going home with either American youngster Mario Barrios (24-0-0) or Uzbekistani southpaw Baktyr Akhmedov (7-0-0). The winner has a chance to establish themselves in a wide-open 140-pound division.
Boxing veterans John Molina Jr. and Josisito Lopez clash
Popular local fighters John “The Gladiator” Molina Jr. (30-8-0) and Josesito “Riverside Rocky” Lopez (36-8-0) have been around the block, and now have their sights set on each other. The two warriors, both in their mid-30s, will fight on the main card.
Lopez put up a fantastic effort against Keith Thurman in “One Time’s” pre-Pacquiao tune-up fight in January, almost upsetting the marquee welterweight. In the past, Lopez has gone toe-to-toe with A-list names like Canelo Alvarez, Andre Berto, and Marcos Maidana.
Molina has also faced a “who’s who” list of fighters, headlined by Terrance Crawford, Adrien Broner, and Lucas Matthysse. While he was unsuccessful in those efforts, he does boast victories over notable foes like former IBF lightweight champ Mickey Bey and Ring Magazine Fight of the Year winner Ruslan Provodnikov.
Fabian Maidana steps out of his brother’s shadow
If you show up to the fight early, be prepared to hear a familiar last name. Fabian Maidana (16-1-0), the younger brother of human buzzsaw Marcos Maidana will be in action.
How to watch Spence vs. Porter?
Be ready to shell out for the fight. Spence vs. Porter will be available on pay-per-view for $74.99, or the price of 500 chicken nuggets from Burger King. The bout can be purchased on the Fox Sports website. If you’re in LA and looking to watch a fight at Staples Center that features two actual boxers (sorry Logan Paul), tickets are still available here. Enjoy the fight!
