Kapwa nakuha nina IBF welterweight champion Shawn Porter ng United States at mandatory challenger Kell Brook ng United Kingdom ang timbang sa 147 pounds kayat tuloy ang kanilang title bout na personal na panonoorin ni Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez ngayon sa StubHub Center, Carson, California.
Dating sparring partner ni Manny Pacquiao sa Wildcard Gym ni Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach si Porter at lagi niyang ipinagmamalaki na marami siyang natutunan sa Pilipino kaya naging kampeong pandaigdig din.
“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 out of that ring August 16,” sinabi ni Porter sa Fightnews.com. “From boxing the who’s who in amateurs, the boxing tough competitors here in the pros to sparring Manny Pacquiao, I think everything that I’ve done speaks for itself. I’ve been in the ring with great champions and the better opposition so I do think that they give me the upper hand in the fight August 16.”
May kartadang 24-0-1 (win-loss-draw) na may15 panalo sa knockouts si Porter samantalang perpektong 32 panalo, 22 sa pamamagitan ng knockouts, ang kartada ni Brook.
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Ngunit iginiit ni Porter na mahihirapan si Brook na maagaw sa kanya ang IBF title dahil umaasa siyang mananatiling malinis ang kanyang rekord.
“I feel that all the experience that I had in the amateurs has been great for me, and has made me where I am as a pro and all the experience that I’ve had now as a pro has got me to the point that I’m at right now where I just feel very comfortable,” ani Porter. “I feel very excited about my matches, I’m excited to do camp and I’m excited about life. I think, right now, yes, I am in my prime,”
Gusto naman ni Marquez na hamunin ang mananalo kina Porter at Brook para matupad ang kanyang pangarap na maging unang Mexican boxer na nagtamo ng world title sa limang dibisyon at kinumpirma ito ng kanyang trainer na si Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain sa BoxingScene.com.
“I would like the match with Porter-Brook winner [for Marquez], because they are top fighters who comes forward [and fights],” dagdag ng Hall of Fame trainer.
