Is Adrien Broner facing Shawn Porter at the wrong time?

By Michael Vena - 06/18/2015 - Comments

_DSC8527(Photo credit: Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions) By Yannis Mihanos: This Saturday night at the MGM Las Vegas Nevada an interesting match-up is taking place between two talented contenders in Adrien Broner (30-1) and Shawn Porter (25-1-1) in a fight at a catch-weight of 144 pounds. They both have suffered at least one defeat during their careers, and they both have come back from it one way or another. Very often the 25-year-old Adrien Broner presents himself in the media as the rightful successor of the one and only Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Broner has never been shy about being seen as the successor to Mayweather, and his way of life and style in boxing help with that. But after Broner’s bitter 2013 defeat at the hands of Marcos Maidana things have slightly changed for him. Broner cannot anymore play the unbeatable superstar because he’s no longer undefeated like Mayweather. Broner’s last three encounters have been soft ones just to set him again for the big stage and it has worked out as planned.

Broner’s opponent for Saturday, Shawn Porter is one who likes to attack and brawl. Porter can do significant damage almost against any opponent. His punch power is similar to that of Maidana, and I can imagine why Broner insisted on the 10 pound rehydration clause of 154 pounds. Broner doesn’t want to face another brawler with a massive weight advantage over him like the one Maidana had.

But Porter is comfortable about the catch-weight and rehydration clause and he hasn’t had to go under extreme measures to take the weight off. This weight limit is quite normal for him.

The fight comes at a time where both men can’t afford setbacks and especially the one who presents himself as the favorite in the fight – Adrien Broner.

Broner has more to lose than to win, so this could be very much about timing. If the timing proves right then we should see a better Broner than his fight against Maidana. If everything goes right, Broner should be able to outbox and defeat Porter.

If the timing proves wrong and history repeats, then I think the only way is down for Broner to the lower weight classes where he can be again successful.

One thing is certain, Porter won’t give Broner any favors and come out all guns blazing. It is good for boxing that both fighters have respect for each other. But in the end of the day only one must win.



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