By Miguel Maravilla
Welterweight world champions Errol Spence Jr. (25-0, 21 KOs), the IBF king from Dallas, Texas, and Shawn Porter (30-2, 17 KOs), the WBC ruler from Akron, Ohio, held a press conference Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for their upcoming pay-per-view unification showdown on September 28.
Here is what the champs had to say:
Errol Spence: “This is an amazing event. Make sure you tune in for this main event. We’re going to do this on September 28th. Shawn is a warrior, he comes ready and leaves his heart on the table. This could be a fight of the year candidate. I will put on an amazing show and performance. I’m looking for the stoppage.”
Shawn Porter: “Listen. This fight demand the excitement and energy. Errol Spence Shawn Porter are coming to Staples Center for all of you. September 28th you need to be here. When we get in the ring September 28th. Nothing but respect. September 28th it’s going down.”
Also on hand were WBC super middleweight champion Anthony Dirrell (33-1, 24 KOs) of Michigan and former world champion David Benavidez (21-0, 18 KOs) of Phoenix, who square off in the co-feature bout.
Anthony Dirrell: “Me and David have wanted this fight for over a year but now we are here. I’m ready and looking for the knockout. I know he is. It will be an action-packed fight.”
David Benavidez: “I have the opportunity to be the youngest two-time super middleweight champion. I will do my best to give an action-packed fight. Anthony Dirrell, I’m going to take my titles back.”
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Spence is going to solve the porter puzzle within 10 rounds if it’s not stopped because of headbutts. Porter and his wild aggression are going to be tamed.
dirrell will get knockout whithin two or three rounds.
Porter doesn’t stand a chance in this fight..Pure and simple!!..I would be very surprised if he makes it to the ninth round.
Will Gobert. Not sure what you mean but the way you spelled it you are saying that Dirrell “will get knockout within 2 or 3 rounds which you are actually saying is Dirrell will get the knock out. If you had spelled it- Dirrell with get “knocked” out, then what you mean is Benavidez wins by knock out in 2 or 3 rounds…
I love both match ups!
Spence should win against Porter and if he does, Pacman should retire – he may still be able to win against Porter but at this age not against Spence or Crawford.
Dirrell against Benavidez should be fireworks, and it will most likely depend on the shape each fighter will be in. If Dirrell is in top shape, he may be able to tame Benavidez. Dirrell has more experience and fought slightly better opposition. However, he hasn’t had particularly tough opponents in over two years already, which is a bit of a red flag. If Dirrell loses, his career may be over. Benavidez will continue to climb the ranks, regardless the outcome.
Despite the many judging scandals and artificial champion positions invented lately, we are seeing some top match ups this year. Both fights should be excellent.
I think Pacquiao beats Spence in fight of the year
Sean: if Pac would beat Spence, it would practically force Mayweather out of retirement. But I just can’t see Pac beating Spence anymore – he’s just past his prime and Spence is about to reach his peak.
But what I agree on is that it would definitely be a candidate for fight of the year, or THE fight of the year.
I think both Spence and Porter should be congratulated on their conduct .May the best man win!