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SHAWN PORTER: "I'M LEARNING A LOT...FREDDIE KNOWS HOW HARD I CAN PUSH MANNY"

By Percy Crawford | May 23, 2011
SHAWN PORTER:

"It's a blessing, man, to be a part of a camp like that; a world championship caliber fighter. We go hard every day all day and I'm just learning what it takes to contend in a 12-round fight; and not only that, I'm learning a lot from Freddie Roach too, learning some of his training methods. And he's showing me a lot too about what it really takes to be a champion...Freddie knows how hard I can push Manny. He knows if there is anybody that is going to come to work every day and be ready to go, it's going to be me. From time to time, I've been in the ring with him, even if I wasn't officially in the camp, and that works out good for me because I can gauge myself and test myself even when I'm not in camp with him. Overall, I think it's a thing where I've grown on Freddie and he knows that if anybody can push his fighter, it's me," stated fast-rising undefeated welterweight Shawn Porter as he talked about what it's like to train with pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao. Check out what he had to say about his future plans and much more.

PC: You were one of Manny Pacquiao's main sparring partners. Break down his performance against Shane Mosley to me. What did you think?

SP: I thought he did all he could do to make the fight exciting. He looked strong for 12 rounds and Shane didn't touch him much. It didn't make for a very exciting fight, but I was still happy with the way that Manny performed.

PC: Obviously you're getting great experience against southpaws sparring with Manny so much, but what else are you taking away from training with a great fighter like Manny Pacquiao?

SP: It's a blessing, man, to be a part of a camp like that; a world championship caliber fighter. We go hard every day all day and I'm just learning what it takes to contend in a 12-round fight; and not only that, I'm learning a lot from Freddie Roach too, learning some of his training methods. And he's showing me a lot too about what it really takes to be a champion.

PC: Are you right back in the gym or are you taking some time off?

SP: Well, we just officially started camp, but we've been going ever since my last fight in February. We just officially started camp, so we're moving on to bigger and better things. We're going to take everything that we took away from that Manny Pacquiao camp and we're gonna keep flowing with it.

PC: You have been improving fight in and fight out. What are some of the things you want to showcase when you do step back inside of the ring?

SP: I think 18 fights, every fight has been what they would call a stepping stone. I have been able to build on each fight. I think one thing that stands out in my last fight was the patience and focus that I showed in the ring and I think that's something that I'm just going to continue to show and carry on with me in my career. I guess you will just see a lot more focus and depending on the fighter and his fight style, you may see a little more speed and a little more quickness and power. But to be honest with you, man, I can do it all. It just depends on who I am in the ring with and what the gameplan is and always following the gameplan. I think the fights will be a lot more exciting and a lot better.

PC: That was the thing that stood out to me the most in your last fight was the amount of patience you showed while still letting combinations go. Your pops was preaching patience to you in the corner. How much does being around your dad and working with him during fights help your fight time chemistry?

SP: It's a wonderful thing, man. There is a discipline that comes, from being young and growing up, from your parents and also a discipline that comes from your coach and learning how to listen and follow instructions, and I think that's something that I try to carry into the ring; in and out of the ring, to be able to have that discipline and be able to listen to the words said in the corner and act them out in the ring. Not only that, but to...he pushes me day in and day out and that's a blessing in itself and it's something that I'm very fortunate to have.

PC: You always seem to end up in Pacquiao's camp. Is it to the point where you're his main guy or is it still just a stylistic thing and if your style matches the guy he's fighting, they will bring you in?

SP: You know what? To be honest with you, it's a little bit of both. Freddie picked me for the Cotto camp 2 years ago because I had that style, and again he picked me for the Mosley camp because he knows I can do that style as well. So that just shows you, number one, how versatile I am. Another thing is Freddie knows how hard I can push Manny. He knows if there is anybody that is going to come to work every day and be ready to go, it's going to be me. From time to time, I've been in the ring with him, even if I wasn't officially in the camp, and that works out good for me because I can gauge myself and test myself even when I'm not in camp with him. Overall, I think it's a thing where I've grown on Freddie and he knows that if anybody can push his fighter, it's me.

PC: What are some of the changes you had to make to fight at 147 pounds and how do you feel walking around lighter and staying fit in between fights at this lighter weight class?

SP: I'm happy with it all the way around. From my health, I'm in ridiculous shape right now. I stay in shape and its unbelievable the kind of shape that I'm in. And then also, to be able to perform at that weight, which me myself, I never thought I would be able to do it, but we took a look at it as a team and we decided to go for it. I'm 3 fights in at 147 now and it's a wonderful thing to be able to make that weight and feel comfortable at that weight and feel strong at that weight. I'm very happy with that.

PC: I wish you the best of luck throughout the rest of the year and with your event in your hometown on Independence Day. Is there anything else you want to say in closing before I let you go?

SP: To all of my fans and supporters out there, keep your eyes open and keep looking out for me. It's only going to keep getting bigger and better. Everybody can catch me at twitter.com/showtimeshawnp and I'm on Facebook, Shawn Porter. And to you Percy, thanks again for this interview.



[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]

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