Former world champions Adrien Broner (30-1,22 KOs) and Shawn Porter (25-1-1, 16 KOs) will meet June 20th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas . The pair has agreed to a catchweight between 144-145 pounds. It’s a true test for both guys in the toughest test since losing their perspective world titles. Broner will enter the bout riding a three bout win streak since losing his world title to Marcos Maidana. Porter picked up a win in his last fight over late sub Erick Bone of Ecuador. Porter had lost his world title to unbeaten Kell Brook the previous year.
The weight stipulation should not be an issue. Porter who was at one time fighting at middleweight has weighed 146 pound or so his last four fights. Broner has actually been fighting near the 140 pound weight class as of late. Physcially both guys measure up fairly evenly. Porter is the more bulky of the two. A recent common opponent of both guys was former two- division world champion Paulie Malignaggi. Broner got all he could handle from Malignaggi winning a split decision and Malignaggi’s WBA world welterweight title. Porter completely dominated Malignaggi in route to a brutal 4th round TKO.
The matchup on paper appears to be the best thus far of Al Haymon’s newly launched Premier Boxing Champions Series (PBC). The initial PBC show aired this past March 7th on NBC with Broner fighting hard punching John Molina. The fight was expected to be exciting given Molina’s straight forward style. Broner dominated Molina in route to a unanimous decision but it was far less than crowd pleasing. Porter is much more skilled than Molina. He is also more athletic and explosive. This should force Broner into a more aggressive approach and more exchanges.
Both Broner and Porter have achieved world title status. Broner has done so in three different weight classes. There is still the matter of the inner state of Ohio rivalry. Broner is from Cincinnati and Porter from the northeast part of the state. They have a chance to settle the debate of who is the best in the state. The winner of the fight has a chance to make a serious leap forward and land an even higher profile fight. Should the fight play out to be as exciting as it sounds the fans will be the real winners.
