Welterweight world champions WBC champion Errol Spence Jr. (25-0, 21 KOs) of Dallas, Texas and Shawn Porter (30-2, 17 KOs) of Akron, Ohio are set for their upcoming unification showdown as they will battle it out to determine the best welterweight in the world. Spence and Porter square off on Saturday September 28 at Staples Center live on FOX Pay per view.
"This is going to be an amazing event. You know it's man down when I get in the ring and we're going to show you just that on September 28," Errol Spence Jr. said.
"It was only a matter of time until this fight happened. I've been patient my entire career and never rushed anything. For me, this fight is happening on time. He's among the elite of this division now and will be after September 28 no matter what," Shawn Porter said "This fight demands this kind of excitement and energy that we have here today. We're coming to the STAPLES Center for these fans, because they give us the energy that we need," Porter added.
Spence is coming off a dominant performance in defeating multi division world champion Mikey Garcia last March at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In what was Spence's biggest victory thus far in his hometown.
"It was a good win. Fighting at AT&T Stadium has always been a dream of mine and I'm very fortunate to give a dominant performance in my hometown," Spence said.
Since winning the IBF title over Kell Brook in May of 2017, Spence has defended his title three times with stoppages over former world champion Lamont Peterson and Carlos Ocampo as well as the decision over Garcia.
"People don't understand the level that Errol and I are on. He's expecting the same thing I'm expecting. I'm looking forward to it," Porter on Spence.
Porter comes into this fight winning four straight fights since his defeat to former world champion Keith Thurman. With wins over former world champion Andre Berto stopping him 9 rounds and decisions over Adrian Granados. He won the WBC welterweight title as he defeated former world champion Danny Garcia by decision and in his last fight he edged out Yordanis Ugas winning a split decision in his first title defense.
"My last fight was very tough but I had no doubt that I won that fight but now I'm looking to what's ahead and that's Errol Spence," Porter said. "I know what's about to go down. I know how great and how special this fight is going to be. The closer we get, the more excited I get. We will be prepared for it.
"Shawn is a warrior who always comes to fight and leaves his heart on the table. He always comes ready, but I'm in shape and ready for him too. We're both always in exciting fights and that's what we're going to give the fans," Spence on Porter. "I know Shawn will keep this same energy on fight night. It's going to be an amazing moment when I get this knockout at Staples Center," Spence added.
Camps are underway as Spence and Porter have began their preparations. Spence will be getting ready for this fight in his hometown of Dallas, Texas with his long time trainer Derrick James. The Porter's will hold camp in Las Vegas as the father son duo of Kenny and Shawn prepare for Spence.
"We have already began to train for this fight. Were expecting a tough and ready Shawn Porter," Spence on his preparation.
"We're both training to go 12 hard rounds and out class each other. It's all about that one moment, and I know I have what it takes to make that moment all mine," Porter on his camp. "We will be prepared for it," Porter added.
Now the two fighters get set to unify both the IBF & WBC welterweight titles.This will be the first welterweight unification bout since Zab Judah vs. Cory Spinks in 2005. However, if you want to count one of the many WBA titles, the last unification than took place in 2017 as WBA Super World champion Keith Thurman took on WBC champion Danny Garcia.
"Now I'm in a unification fight, which is what I've wanted for a long time," Spence on the unification I had to be on the sidelines and watch Shawn fight Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia, but now I'm in that group. I have the opportunity to fight these top guys and make my name known," Spence added.
"This fight will determine who's the best in the division and I'm ready to prove that," Porter on the unification.
With the welterweight division shaping out to be one of the hottest in boxing. It is imminent that the winner of this unification is likely headed towards a huge mega fight. With Manny Pacquiao defeating Keith Thurman last month, Pacquiao added the WBA title to his collection. Making him one of the four title holders, the other champion WBO welterweight champ Terance Crawford. Due to the politics in the boxing world the winner will likely enter the Manny Pacquiao sweepstakes.
"My whole thing is that I'm looking for the stoppage. I want to make a statement that I'm clearing out the division. I want Manny Pacquiao and all of the top names in this division." Spence concluded.
"When I beat Errol Spence Jr., it doesn't mean he's going away. He's still elite. But I'm going to take care of him September 28 and go after Manny Pacquiao. That's the plan," Porter said.
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