"I think Pacman is by far the number one pound-for-pound boxer. I've watched other guys over the last few years and he seems to have that exciting style that basically is untouchable right now...Manny is definitely ready. I think this is his time and I think you guys will see a lot in the ring. You guys might be surprised," stated up-and-coming undefeated jr. middleweight Shawn Porter as he gave a behind-the-scenes look into Camp Pacquiao just one week before the highly-anticipated showdown with Miguel Cotto. Porter was a guest on the OnTheGrind Boxing podcast yesterday and shared his thoughts on a number of subjects, including what it was like sparring with Pacquiao, his own upcoming fight on November 21st and much more.
On what it's like on a day-to-day basis at Wild Card Gym...
"It's fun. It's gotten even more insane since we got back with all the camera crews and all that, but it's a joy to be in the gym with Freddie and Pacman both. To watch them do what they do and also to be in the ring and have that experience with Pacman, I think 10 fights into my professional career, I couldn't ask for anything more."
On what he brings as a sparring partner for Pacquiao...
"I think Freddie has me here because he knew that I could imitate the Cotto style, but I also have a lot more quickness and speed than Cotto and I think that Freddie really wanted that in the camp. Freddie seems to think that I'm a lot more powerful than Cotto too. I think overall, just my whole boxing style and what I have to bring, Freddie really liked that and he felt that he needed that for Pacman."
On who is the most Cotto-like when sparring with Pacquiao...
"It would definitely go to me. Castillo isn't even in the camp right now. When we got back, he went on home. I would say that I'm the most like Cotto. I'm 5'7". I have a big, powerful body, you know, just like Cotto and I bring hard punches too, just like Cotto, so I'm by far probably the only one here that can really imitate the Cotto style."
On how well Pacquiao has adapted to Cotto's style...
"He's adapted to it very well. At first, he had a few problems adjusting to the way I was counterpunching, but over the last few weeks, two weeks or so, he's really picked it up. He's getting his good 10, 11, 12 rounds in the ring in the sparring, so he's come right along. This past week was his week to peak and I think I saw the best this past week out of him."
"He's done with the hard workouts. Now he's just kind of tapering off and, you know, starting to bring the workouts down and really get ready for the fight mentally moreso than physically."
On who he thinks is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world...
"I think Pacman is by far the number one pound-for-pound boxer. I've watched other guys over the last few years and he seems to have that exciting style that basically is untouchable right now."
On how Pacquiao is looking a week out from the fight...
"Manny is definitely ready. I think this is his time and I think you guys will see a lot in the ring. You guys might be surprised."
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