(Photo credit: Esther Lin/Showtime) By Raj Parmar: As Shawn Porter (24-0, 15 KO’s) defends his IBF welterweight title tonight against challenger Kell Brook (32-0, 22 KO’s), he will be fighting for more than just the opportunity to remain champion in what is becoming an increasingly crowded welterweight division. He has the opportunity tonight to separate himself from the pack and become one of the elite fighters in the division.
A few months ago Porter and fellow welterweight Keith Thurman (23-0, 21 KO’s) were frequently mentioned together as the top two welterweights on the rise. Both are undefeated, hit with tremendous power and have charismatic personalities. Earlier this year in May during the Floyd Mayweather-Marcos Maidana Pay Per View Event, the two were even interviewed together as the future of the division.
A lot has changed since May, as Porter has made his move to separate himself from Thurman and take the next step in becoming a leading force in the division. Thurman has been inactive since beating journeyman Julio Diaz in April with no future fight currently scheduled, while Porter is coming off a devastating knockout over well known ex champion Pauli Malignaggi in the lead-up to tonight’s matchup against the undefeated and very skilled Brook.
These recent developments have lead Porter on a path in quickly becoming the sole rising superstar in the welterweight division, whereas he was sharing this status with Thurman previously. With an impressive win over Brook tonight, Porter will elevate himself to a new tier while Thurman will still be in a status of having to prove himself first before being considered for major fights.
This is significant as both Porter and Thurman have openly stated they want a crack at reigning pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather; who’s career is winding down and he has only a few fights left before he retires. Floyd’s options after the Maidana rematch in September are very low, especially if he maintains his stance on not working with Top Rank associated fighters which would make lucrative fights against Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao very difficult to put together.
Therefore Porter is fighting for much more than a championship tonight, he is fighting for a chance to put his name in the hat of the very short list of opponents who will have the opportunity to challenge for Mayweather’s crown next year. Whereas it was a toss-up before between which of Porter of Thurman would be in line first to get a crack at Floyd, after tonight it will no doubt be Porter if he can take down Brook in a fight that will set Porter’s career direction for both the short and long term from this point on.
Comments are closed.