Adrien Broner vs. Shawn Porter: Winner, Scorecard and Reaction | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Carter Sullivan It happened again.
"Showtime" Shawn Porter (26-1-1) became the second man to prove he had the solution for Adrien "The Problem" Broner (30-2). Porter earned a unanimous-decision win by bullying Broner for 12 rounds. It was billed as the Battle of Ohio, with Porter from Akron and Broner from Cincinnati. On Saturday night, Porter did his hometown proud.
Brian Campbell of ESPN has the official scores:
Brian Campbell @BCampbellCBSIt's a UD12 for Shawn Porter (114-112, 115-111, 118-108) over Adrien Broner.
With constant pressure and a wealth of power shots, Porter outworked Broner in every way. Broner did have a moment late in the fight, but he was unable to do much with it. In the 12th round, he showed appropriate desperation and landed a hard left hook that dropped Porter.
Here's a look at the punch from Premier Boxing Champions on Twitter:
PBC @premierboxingHere's a closer look at @AdrienBroner's knockdown of @showtimeshawnp in round 12! #PBConNBC
Even Porter looked impressed with the shot as he rose to his feet. Take a look at the expression on his face via this GIF from CJ Fogler:
It was a clean and beautiful shot—the type of punch that briefly makes you forget how brash and inappropriate Broner can be when he's speaking. Like a former champion, Porter quickly recovered and re-established the pressure and pace that stoked him to a large lead on most sensible cards.
After the knockdown, many were a bit nervous that the event might create an opening for some questionable scorecards. Former world champion and future Hall of Famer Shane Mosley was clearly one member of the boxing community who was worried:
Shane Mosley @ShaneMosley_Porter was really using a lot of moves I was showing him. They was taking a long time with the score cards had me nerves
Coming in, it was clear Porter needed to get inside to have success. Early in the bout, he picked his spots to close the distance. When he did, he banged the body relentlessly. He landed a hard shot to Broner's head in the first round that seemed to rock The Problem.
Broner has proven in the past that he has a sturdy chin. He quickly got his faculties together, but notice had been served. This would be a tough night for the 25-year-old. For most of the fight, Broner had no answer for Porter's pressure. He resorted to running and using his forearm and glove to push Porter in the face.
Here's a look at one of the many times Broner used this illegal tactic, courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions:
PBC @premierboxing.@AdrienBroner is really "sticking it out" in this fight. #BronerPorter
He also held excessively to try to control Porter's strength on the inside. It took longer than it should have, but referee Tony Weeks finally took a point away from Broner for holding in the 11th round. That occurrence effectively cancelled out Broner's knockdown in the final frame.
When the fight was over, Porter was typically classy. Isaac Estrada of Real Boxing News has the quote:
Isaac Estrada @RealBoxingNews"That's how you beat a great fighter; intelligently." Porter
Also typically, Broner was borderline-obscene with his less-than-gracious comments (via Estrada) during his post-fight interview:
Isaac Estrada @RealBoxingNews"We still can have dinner. I can take his girl down too, it don't matter." Broner
Broner's comments don't come as a surprise to those who follow him. Even if you don't follow him, you were given a glimpse of his style during his entrance, which was captured by King of Detroit:
Bread Boi @BreadBoiThe minute Adrien Broner lost the fight 😂😂😩😂😂
One has to wonder how Broner can get the most out of his talent. Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix thinks it might be time for The Problem to switch trainers:
Chris Mannix @ChrisMannixYSMike Stafford has done a great job helping Broner get to this point. But like Chris Algieri, maybe AB benefits from a more experienced voice
That's a thought, as it is apparent Broner doesn't have complex game plans, and he looks unprepared for fighters who take away his space to work. A new voice in the corner could help, but one has to also wonder whether Broner has the humility and maturity to allow himself to be coached.
If The Problem is consistently solved, is he really still a "problem," or even relevant?
As for Porter, he's put himself in position for a major fight the next time out. If Keith "One-Time" Thurman defeats Luis Collazo in July, a fight with Porter would be the next must-see PBC bout. In any case, Porter has some time to celebrate his latest victory.
Against a talented but loud opponent, Porter did all his talking in the ring, and his fist spoke volumes.
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