Shawn Porter was dictating the pace in a brutally physical fight with Adrien Broner, but there had been some close frames in a 12-round bout that still had three to go.
Shawn Porter's right hand was too much for Adrien Broner to overcome Saturday night in Las Vegas. (Suzanne Teresa/Premier Boxing Champions)
Porter was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards in the 144-pound fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas after nine rounds (86-85, 87-84 and 90-81). His corner didn’t know that, however, and didn’t want to take any chances.
Porter’s father and trainer, Kenny Porter, told his son to seize the opportunity. “Gimme the right hand,” he said in between rounds. “Behind the jab, gimme the right hand.”
“Showtime” Shawn Porter responded with The Moment at the 2:32 mark of the 10th round, staggering Adrien Broner to the ropes with a crisp right to the chin over a double jab before delivering further punishment.
The rally energized Porter (26-1-1, 16 KOs) for a sweep of the 10th and 11th rounds, and helped him overcome a 12th-round knockdown by Broner (30-2, 22 KOs) to win a unanimous decision (114-112, 115-111 and 118-108).
“That landed square,” NBC announcer Marv Albert said of the blow by Porter, who outlanded Broner in total punches (149-88), power shots (99-68) and jabs (50-20).
Porter landed a similarly clean, straight right at the 1:33 mark of the 10th as well as a left-right, double-left uppercut combination with 24 seconds remaining.
“Some really good work from Porter in the last round,” ringside analyst BJ Flores said. “You see that jab that Kenny Porter’s been asking for. Stick it in Adrien’s face. There you see Shawn doing that.”
Broner’s trainer, Mike Stafford, was rightfully concerned as his fighter repeatedly held Porter instead of countering.
“You’re fighting the wrong fight, man,” Stafford said after the 10th round. “You’re fighting the wrong fight.”
A frustrated Broner continued to hold and lean on Porter in the 11th round, leading referee Tony Weeks to deduct a point from Broner. After that, not even the knockdown in the final round could snatch victory away from Porter.
For PBC’s complete coverage of Broner vs Porter, visit our fight page.
