When I spoke with jr. middleweight prospect Shawn Porter on Halloween day, he had just gone 4 rounds with Manny Pacquiao, the man who many consider to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. "Manny is the man," stated Porter, who's grown accustomed to leaving the Wild Card Gym and seeing hundreds of people waiting in the parking lot for a chance to meet their hero.
Having witnessed firsthand the superstar status of Pacquiao, Porter considers it business as usual for the sparring partner of such an iconic figure. "It was like a scene from Coming To America when a row of limos were going down the one-way street with escorts," Porter recalled of his time in the Philippines. Describing the experience as being surreal, Porter thoroughly enjoyed his time there. "My time in the Philippines was nice," he commented.
Getting the opportunity to work with Team Pacquiao has given Porter tremendous experience, honing his own skills under the watchful eye of Freddie Roach while sparring with an elite fighter like Pacquiao. "I watched and learned a lot from the great Freddie Roach," Porter added. "Manny brings a lot of quickness and we go to war." He gives credit for this chance of a lifetime to his dad, Kenny Porter, who came out to California a few months ago to personally speak to Roach about the opportunity.
When asked about how his sparring sessions have gone with Pacquiao, the naturally bigger Porter was quick to comment, "Manny is very quick and has good power and will be able to handle himself." Although Porter currently campaigns as a jr. middleweight, he hasn't ruled out the possibility of moving down to the welterweight division in the future, stating, "154 and 147. I want to rule those divisions." Porter currently has another week left with Pacquiao in LA before moving with the team to Las Vegas. "I get more excited by the day waiting for the big fight," he remarked as if he himself were getting ready to step onto the big stage. Before that day comes, however, the rising undefeated star will be heading to Fitzgerald's Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi for his own clash with Jerome Ellis (12-9-2, 10 KOs) on November 21st. "Be on the lookout for me on my campaign," Porter stated as he continues his quest for his first world title.