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This weekend we’ll be treated to an intriguing matchup of speed and talent versus power and athleticism when Adrien Broner and Shawn Porter face off, on Saturday, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Premier Boxing Champions will broadcast the fight live on NBC at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.
Sky Sports 1 has it in the UK on Sunday morning at 01:30 a.m.
Favorite to Win and Odds
Left to right: Shawn Porter, Floyd Mayweather, Adrien Broner. Photo: Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions
Shawn Porter comes in as a slight favorite in Vegas an on online sportsbooks (see odds below). But with both fighters’ reputations on the line– and a 144-pound catchweight that may give the smaller Broner an advantage– the edge is merely academic.
“You’ve got two guys this weekend in Adrien Broner and Shawn Porter who have the right teams around them,” Floyd Mayweather Jr. chimed in earlier in the week. “If they continue to win and we bring their personality out of them, we’ll see what happens.”
25-year-old Adrien Broner (30-1, 22 KOs) is a highly skilled, versatile boxer-puncher with deep amateur pedigree (300-19-1 before going pro). The Cincinnati native’s flashy style and blazing combinations make him one of today’s most entertaining boxers to watch, while his mouth and out-of-the-ring exploits have made him one of the sport’s most polarizing personalities.
“This is a big fight because Adrien Broner is on the card,” Broner said at a recent press conference. “No disrespect to Shawn and [Porter’s father and trainer] Kenny, but I’m coming to win and I’m going to win.”
Broner was last in action outpointing John Molina Jr. in March. Prior to Molina encounter, Broner had decisioned Emmanuel Taylor and Carlos Molina. Broner’s only professional loss came to Argentine Marcos Maidana in December of 2013. He holds wins over top-level fighters Paulie Malignaggi, Daniel Ponce de Leon, and Antonio Demarco, and has held belts in the 130, 135 and 147-pound divisions.
“I’m going to give my dad a great Father’s Day present this weekend when I get that victory Saturday night,” Broner said. “Porter can’t beat me, it’s not going to happen.”
Fighting out of Akron, Ohio, Shawn Porter (25-1-1, 16 KOs) has been on many fans’ must-watch lists in recent years. A powerful, come-forward slugger, the former IBF world welterweight champion comes to Saturday’s fight focused and ready to take care of business.
“I think Broner thought that if he gets me drained it would be a problem for me, but it’s not going to be,” Porter said regarding the Broner-imposed catchweight. “That’s not the Porter way. We’ve done everything right to this point.”
In his last ring appearance, 27-year-old Porter stopped ecuadorian prospect Erick Bone in a comeback fight after suffering his only career loss to undefeated Kell Brook last August. Porter’s devastating stoppage of Paulie Malignaggi was one of last year’s most memorable knockouts.
Ok. Let’s take a look at the numbers:
bet365: Adrien Broner +100 Shawn Porter -125
Sky Bet: Adrien Broner +110 Shawn Porter -137
Bet Victor: Adrien Broner +105 Shawn Porter -110
888sport: Adrien Broner +120 Shawn Porter -150
Prediction
Shawn Porter slams Devon Alexander. (Getty)
I love this matchup of styles and personalities. Both fighters are in top shape and at their physical peaks, and the grand stage of network TV will only motivate them that much more. The catchweight is an unfortunate wrinkle, but that’s how it goes these days.
Both of these guys come with the skills and desire to take it, but I think Porter will establish an intelligent pressure early in the fight and will be able to keep it up throughout, possibly knocking down Broner on his way to a decision win.
Guy’s pick: Shawn Porter wins by UD.
Co-featured on Saturday, up-and-comer Errol Spence Jr. (16-0, 13 KOs) puts his unblemished record on the line when he takes on battle tested Roberto Garcia (37-3, 23 KOs).