Unbeaten IBF Welterweight Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and WBC Champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter made their grand arrivals Tuesday as they near their PPV title unification this Saturday from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
Here is what the main and co-main event fighters had to say Tuesday:
Errol Spence Jr.
“This is going to be a tough fight because of Shawn’s style. He has a come-forward style and he likes to throw a lot of punches. He has a lot of will and he’s going to help make this a great fight.
“I’m confident in my abilities and confident that I will perform to the best of my abilities. I believe that no matter what Shawn brings to the ring, I’ll have an answer for it.
“I think this fight is coming at the perfect time. I’m going in the right direction in my career and I’m just going to keep achieving more and more from here.”
Shawn Porter
“Spence is a tactical fighter. I know they’ll have a good game plan but I’m confident in my abilities and in my corner.
“Errol and I are likeable and respectable guys, but we give it all in the ring. Fights like this are going to help the sport of boxing.
“I don’t just want to challenge Errol Spence Jr. I took on this fight because I want to be the guy who beats him and takes his 0. I think Kell Brook challenged him, but I’m here to have my hand raised at the end of the night.”
Anthony Dirrell
“I don’t see this fight going the distance. I don’t work nine to five and I don’t get paid for overtime. You’re going to see on Saturday night.
“He’s still green. He’s done what he’s supposed to do. He’s knocked out fighters who he was supposed to knock out. I’m ready for anything he brings. I’ve seen it before and I’ve done it before.
“Experience is going to matter a lot on Saturday night. I think my mental game is going to outweigh his and he’s not going to know what hit him.”
David Benavidez
“We have a good game plan, but our job is to go out there and read what he’s doing and adjust. A lot of times fighters bring new wrinkles to the ring, so we have to be ready to make the right moves to counter it.
“Dirrell has talked about his experience, but I don’t think any of that is going to play a factor in the fight. I prepared myself very well and I’m ready for anything.
“I’ve been around a lot of great fighters and I’ve learned a lot. It’s not his job to know everything about me, but on Saturday night he’s going to find out who I really am.”
The welterweight kings are mostly pound for pound greats of this era. Manny Pacquiao is the biggest drawcard and a fight with Crawford must happen. The winner to meet Porter or Spence!
Hate to see Pacman against Crawford and Spence. Crawford and Spence are p4p top 5 at least. 40 yo PacMan is not going to make a competitive fight and will be busted up and Ko’d. Porter might have a harder time but still is 50/50 to beat PacMan. So I wish PacMan would retire and commit himself as a senator in PI.
Spence by TKO
spencer will beat porter and benavidez will knockout dirrell. period.
This is not a PPV fight, this is an HBO/Showtime free level fight, I refuse to pay for second level fights!!
This is for real Boxing fans that pay to see good fights. Theres no way I’m missing this card. We pay the money, invite people over and make an event out of it. Dont be a sourpuss. Appreciate that somebody put an event together for you to enjoy, or not.
Unsure you from Jersey talking that bs? Please. Jersey dudes know what it is. You must be from Trenton.
Porter by KO
It wouldn’t be a shock. Probably won’t go that way but Spence ain’t that dude people think he is.
I don’t know why I see Porter like a Dereck Chisora’s baby brother. Just my impression.
Nah! Spence is too good for him. While Porter is not the best Spence has faced to date, Spence is by a mile the best Porter ever faced. A UD beating or fight to be stopped by the referee or Porter’s corner, around the 10
Porter just isn’t an elite fighter and he lost his last one. This should be on basic cable.
And Spence is elite? Please.
In the welterweight division he is. The top 3 is Spence at #1 and Crawford/Pacquiao can be interchangeable. Spence and Crawford don’t have a great resume especially Crawford but wouldn’t you agree they’re a bigger threat than Pacquiao?
Porter is a fringe contender.
Let me say this: The state of Boxing is sad. Could you imagine these 2 fighters being in the top ten 147 pounders in the 90’s? We had Trinidad, Ike Quartey, De La Hoya, Jose Luis Lopez, Pernell Whitaker and others. I would rate these two as average fighters. People easily forget these 2 fighters are in an era tht lacks talent due to the decline of boxing in America. Trinidad alone would have iced these 2 in the same night.
My man, I was thinking the same thing. No way these two nor ” No more time” Thurman, DG. Crawford , Heck ANYBODY would be an elite. No way no how. All these so called elite now would be average boxers PERIOD END OF STORY!!!
We tend to overrate the guys we saw growing up. Quartey and Lopez are a notce below Spence/Crawford.