Easton, PA (July 28th, 2014) In a month’s time, Shawn Porter (24-0-1, 15 KOs) will make his 2nd defense of the IBF Welterweight Title (147lbs) against England’s 2nd son, Kell Brook (32-0, 22 KOs). Porter’s first defense came back in April, when he completely annihilated former WBA Welterweight Champion, Paulie Malignaggi, stopping him in just 4 rounds. The bout will take place at the famous Stub Hub Center, where fights tend to become fight of year nominees. In the past years there has yet to be seen a card held at Stub Hub that had a fight that didn’t make fans attending and watching at home, rise from their seat.
Earlier today, Golden Boy held a conference call with Porter and Brook to speak on behalf of their upcoming title fight. The call, as always featured the Golden Boy himself, introducing the fighters starting off will Kell Brook, the challenger.
“We are excited once again to be teaming up with Showtime, and presenting to you a terrific, terrific boxing card.”
“The main event will be a terrific fight, which will be showcasing 2 of the top welterweights today.”
De La Hoya went on to introduce Brook, “I’m more than ready for this opportunity.” Said Brook, “We’re just finishing up some hard training, It’d be great to be a world champion at this age.”
In the last year and a half, Kell Brook has been trying to get a fight with Devon Alexander, when Alexander of course held the IBF title before losing it to Porter. The fight was canceled multiple times due to Alexander getting a injury and then Brook following up with one as well. Brook is finally in the world title picture but says it was very frustrating dealing with all the mishaps.
“It’s been very, very frustrating for me, I’ve been in line for the title before and injures called for a delay, but I’ve moved on, I’m onto a new chapter with Shawn Porter. He looked good against Malignaggi and proved he’s a world champion. I think I’m more than ready, I’ve been training very hard for this fight.”
As far as why the card was set to take place at the Stub Hub Center, where neither Brook or Porter are from, De La Hoya said, “The Stub Hub is a perfect fit for this kind of card. It has a reputation of staging some of the best fights in recent years.” “When putting this event together, the Stub Hub Center was the first choice. The face that you have no local fighters, does not matter. I feel that the fans in California that will be attending, are just accustomed to getting good fights.”
As far as the history between Alexander and Brook goes, and Alexander losing the belt the Porter. Brook says he was not at all shocked that it happened. “I wasn’t shocked at all because anything can happen in boxing. I could see the extraction of the game plan and the blueprint to beat Alexander, you have to smother him, so I wasn’t really too shocked.”He say’s different about Porter’s following fight against Malignaggi. “I didn’t expect that, I was actually in shock.”
Kell is then asked about a potential Khan fight, should he win this Aug 16th against Porter.
“It’s a big event, It’s a massive money fight, fighting Amir Khan, and international money fight. Its like Mayweather going against Pacquiao.”
Porter has stated before that Brook will be the most technical fighter he gets in the ring with, acknowledging that he won be able to just walk in and charge. “I think he knows he’s up against someone who’s 32 and 0 who is trying to become a world champion. I think he’s seen that I’m a big welterweight, strong and determined. Maybe he’s seen in my eyes, that I’m not coming to lay down, I’m coming to lay it down on the line.”
Should Brook have any doubts or concerns about coming to America and possibly not getting a fair shake? “Of course, the world is going to be watching, It’s a hot division and the winner is going to be winning clearly. Obviously I keep in mind that I’m not in my own country, I feel the winner will leave no doubt.”
Porter is than brought on, sounding like he is ready and comfortable.
“IT’S SHOOOOOWTIME!” “Thing’s have been going great in camp, we just finished our first session here on the track. I’m excited about the fight Aug 16th, Stub hub, I’m finally performing their, I’m excited about that. I can’t wait to go out their in person and give the fans a great show.”
Porter has gone on the record before saying Brook is a challenge, has skills and assets that will give him a fight, he goes on to acknowledge some of the things he see’s as a potential challenge. Also giving details on about his career build up.
“When I first turned pro, they told me we were going to take it slow, build ourselves up and learn the fight game, before we jumped into a big fight, I understood that. In a way it was a growth process, It was a building process, we were stepping up each fight. Anyone out their saying this is the new Shawn Porter, no this is the Shawn Porter who has worked hard, someone who has developed, and built himself up and now I’m here, the IBF Champion of the world. Now we have a good opposition in front of us, someone who’s very skillful, and fundamentally sound. Just looking at film of the guy, he keeps his hands up, throws a good straight jab and the 1-2. That’s the basics of boxing, that’s the fundamentals of boxing, things that I work on daily, and he’s very good at them. We’re going to go out their, we’re going to do everything, we’re going to box, use speed, power, quickness, everything that we have. Keeping in mind he is a good fighter, we wont be rushing in or getting out of control.”
Porter is asked if there is any pressure now, being that he has been regarded as potentially being the next big star.
“There’s no added pressure at all, this is what I love to do. I’m having fun with it right now, we’re working extremely hard. The pressure is put on me in the gym, on the track, in the swimming pool and camp. Once I get to the fight, all the pressure is off, I already shook it off. There’s no pressure to deal with during the fight. Just go out there and do it the Porter way.”
Being 26 years old, undefeated , and a world champion, Porter is asked if he feels that he is just now, entering the prime of his career. “Honestly, I would say yes, I don’t really know at what age you’re considered in your prime. I don’t follow statistics, nothing about me is statistical. I’ve defeated every odd that’s ever been put against me.”
Porter says that his motivated for fighting is excitement, “My specific motivation I would say is, there is a level of excitement that I get from boxing, I get it from being in the ring, and those crowds and having those matches that just fills me up. Just a great career, the glory and everything that comes with it. I think my biggest motivation is probably my dad and my family. My dad is with me all the time, he pushes me.”
Porter says he looks forward to the opportunity to potentially face Floyd Mayweather, if Floyd gets past Maidana again and if Porter beats Brook and stays undefeated. “I don’t consider my fights auditions, I consider them performances. I go out there and give it my all, with the expectations of being bigger and better. This is boxing, we don’t look ahead of ourselves, but at the same time, Mayweather we all know hes on the clock, so we know we could potentially be next in line.”
As far as drug testing goes, it asked to De La hoya about what the issue is, who will be doing the tests, and why the fighters have not been tested. “The drug testing was handled through Eric Gomez and through Al Haymon. There is a drug testing in place which the fighters should have already been taking and going through the process.”
Shawn is then asked if he has been tested,“Eric Gomez hasn’t contacted us yet, and we’re expecting the call from either Eric Gomez, Golden Boy, Showtime, USADA, whoever it is, but we are expecting that call, we’re ready.”
It is then asked if he has not at all been tested yet, even though its less than a month before the fight,
“Not yet, you roll with the punches.”
Its then asked again if the testing will be issued by USADA. “I don’t know if its USADA testing but I know we are supposed to be tested”“It is USADA, I don’t know why it hasn’t been started, my match maker dealt with that, with Al Haymon.” – Oscar De La Hoya
Being both guys are unbeaten Porter says that doesn’t at all put pressure on the fight being someone’s unblemished record must go. “No pressure at all, you look at my record I’m undefeated against undefeated fighters so I’m going to keep that going, I do look forward to staying undefeated and carrying my belt around the ring.”
How Brook is different from any fighter Porter has faced, pro or amateur,“I pretty much fought the who’s who of young fighters out there, with that being said, it’s just another step up. He’s the guy that is mandatory for the IBF title and the guy we were told we had to fight. So we’ll go in there and fight him and move on.”
Porter goes on the record to say he will gladly fight Keith Thurman, being Brook is not a known name in America,
“I’ll fight one time, two times, I personally don’t look past what’s in front of me, but again we’ve seen all over the internet, everybody wants that fight, it’s a fight I wouldn’t turn down.”
On closing statements, Porter says“You guys know I’m going out there August 16th and give it my all, I’m looking forward to seeing all of you out there and I can’t wait.”
