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NEW YORK – According to conventional wisdom, Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia, both former welterweight world champions with considerable experience facing many of the best fighters in their division, were about equal.
And when they met Saturday night in front of a crowd of 13,058 spectators in the main event of the 30th boxing card at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, they did indeed run a very competitive and exciting fight.
But it was Porter's relentless pressure that won the unanimous decision to win his second world title of 147 pounds.
Judge Don Ackerman scored bout 116-112, and Judges Julie Lederman and Eric Marlinski each scored 115-113. ESPN had it 114-114.
"I tell people all the time that I'm not making predictions, I've made a prediction and a hard time to live in. I said I would not leave New York without this belt and that I would not would not leave New York without it. " belt, "said Porter. "I knew it was going to be accurate." The game plan for me was to be precise from the outside and to show that we could beat him without the strings on the ropes. That meant a lot for boxing, and I wanted to be part of it. "
Garcia said that he thought he had won but did not complain too vigorously.
"I thought I had done enough to win, it was a close fight, the judges did not give it to me," Garcia said. "I broke my head inside, and a few heads bit the nose, that's what it is, it's boxing."
With the victory, Porter prepares for a possible unification fight with Errol Spence Jr.
"In the same way that you called Danny, I'm going to call you," Spence told Porter after the fight. "I think I'm the best welterweight in the division, I'm the truth and I guarantee you that I'm coming home as a unified champion, I really want this fight against Porter."
Spence (24-0, 21 KOs) was also paired with a possible a la carte fight later this year or early 2019 against Mikey Garcia, a lightweight player, who insists on climbing two divisions to fight against Spence . Spence has many options.
"It was a good fight." Shawn looked alike, "I have not seen anything different in his style, so we should be fighting for an incredible fight," Spence said. "I'm ready for anyone, Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter or [titleholder] Keith Thurman. I want everything and everyone. "
Spence is what Porter wants next and told him in the ring.
"I knew Errol Spence would be here tonight, I'm ready for the fight, it will be the easiest fight to do in boxing," Porter said, referring to the fact that they were fighting each other. both on Showtime. with councilor Al Haymon and the two want the fight.
Porter first won a world title in 2013, also at Barclays Center, while he was ahead of Devon Alexander, and that he managed a defense before losing the belt to Kell Brook. Porter has been trying since then to obtain another belt and he moved closer in 2016; but he lost a very close decision to Thurman, who also took Garcia's belt by tight decision in March 2017 in the same building.
Now, Porter has another title after a grueling battle with Garcia.
Saturday's fight started at a measured pace, and when they both threw the right hand at the end of the first lap, Garcia got connected and Porter's striker was not happy. The action quickly resumed and they engaged in a very popular fight.
According to CompuBox punch stats, Porter shot 180 of 742 shots (24%) and Garcia with 168 of 472 shots (36%).
Garcia's punches had a violent impact that could be heard at the edge of the ring, including a difficult left hook in the third round. Porter, two inches shorter than Garcia, tried to make his way but had trouble from the start.
Porter, known for his opponents in the bull race, went straight into the fourth round and put Garcia on the back with several good shots and a right hand up while continuing his offense.
Porter's offense was not consistent, however. When he was unable to get inside Garcia, Porter tried to deflate, but Garcia stepped back and laid his blows.
It is notorious that Porter is involved in fights, and after an accidental thrust in the seventh round, referee Steve Willis warns him to pay attention to his head. Porter had Garcia retired later in the seventh round while he was hitting him with his right hand over the top.
Porter (29-2-1, 17 KOs), 30, of Las Vegas, continued to aim for Garcia's body in the eighth round. Porter lowered his head and bombarded inside, although he took a few straight hands for his trouble in what was becoming an increasingly brutal fight, especially inside then. that the fighters clashed.
"He tried to overtake me, especially at the end of the laps, he did a great job," Porter said. "It was not necessarily about making him wild. [trainer Ken Porter] wanted me to stay consistent with the body work and stay consistent with the pressure. "
Garcia had predicted a knockout victory in less than nine rounds, but the ninth went without any of the men being seriously in danger. So many rounds seemed close that it was difficult to choose a winner, especially at the end of the fight, when they traded in the middle of the ring – including the 10th round, as they were shooting with abandon.
"He has launched a lot," said Garcia. "I had my tight defense, so it was not efficient, I thought I had the clearest shots, I thought I won this fight, I have to sit, relax, and see what I'm doing. which is coming for me. "
Porter, who earned $ 1 million to $ 1.2 million from Garcia, continued to pressure Garcia (34-2, 20 KOs), 30, of Philadelphia, in the 11th round. With the fight apparently on the table in the 12th round, they exchanged punches at close range in the last 30 seconds, except for a boost, and the crowd rose to enjoy the tremendous battle.
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