Cleveland's Ken Porter wants primetime on Showtime: Boxing Insider
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Calling out another fighter is nothing new. Calling out a television network is a new approach.
Ken Porter, who trains his undefeated Cleveland welterweight son, liked what he saw Saturday in Atlantic City, N.J., as Shawn Porter upped his record to 21-0-1, with 14 KOs, as he dominated previously unbeaten Phil Lo Greco. Dropping Lo Greco in the ninth and 10th rounds, Porter was in front by scores of 99-89 and 100-88 twice.
It was on the undercard of two nationally televised bouts on Showtime and therein lies the trainer’s complaint. The father feels his son is more than ready for primetime.
“We wanted to fight [IBF 147-pound champ] Devon Alexander and it didn’t come together,” Ken Porter said. “We told the network we were willing to fight anyone. It’s up to them to put together the best fights. Let’s see what they do.”
Shawn Porter has been groomed through the amateur ranks and at 25 it is time he gets his shot. Ken Porter is hoping that shot comes sooner, like September, rather than later.
Because substitute Lee Purdy (20-4-1, 13 KOs) could not make the 147-pound limit, Alexander’s seventh-round TKO was a non-title bout in the AC co-feature. Alexander stands 25-1, with 14 KOs.
Also on that card, WBC interim super lightweight champion Lucas Matthysse (34-2, 32 KOs) was in complete control in stopping IBF champion Lamont Peterson (31-2-1, 16 KOs) in another non-title fight.
Not so golden: Heavyweight DeMarkus Minter from Akron’s Good Shepherd Boxing Club reached the semifinals of the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in Salt Lake City. However, Minter dropped a decision to eventual national champion Earl Newman of New York.
Minter’s effort was the best from Team Cleveland’s eight-boxer contingent. Super heavyweight Marlon Steen from the Untouchable B.C. made it to the quarterfinals before being eliminated.
Junior tournament: The Great Lakes Region 5 Junior Olympic tournament will be held Saturday through Monday at the Euclid Sports Plant, 20001 Euclid Ave., in Euclid. Six associations from Ohio, Michigan, Illinois,Indiana, Kentucky and the host Lake Erie Association will be competing in three divisions, junior (11-12), intermediate (13-14) and senior (15-16).
Senior division winners advance to the national Junior Olympic tournament in Mobile, Ala., June 25-29. Saturday’s bouts begin at 3 p.m., Sunday’s at 1 p.m., with Monday’s to be determined. Contact Gene Glen at 216-721-1674.
Around the ring: Cleveland’s Willie Nelson (20-1-1, 12 KOs) has an HBO television date against junior middleweight Luciano Cuello (32-2, 16 KOs) on June 29 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. . . . IBF light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (56-3-2, 32 KOs) will get back in the ring July 13 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., to take on mandatory challenger Karo Murat (25-1-1, 15 KOs) of Germany. . . . Former welterweight champ Andre Berto (28-2, 22 KOs) will meet Mexican veteran Jesus Soto Karass (27-8-3, 17 KOs) in San Antonio on July 27. It’s on Showtime.
Famers: The Ohio State Former Boxers and Associates will have its annual hall of fame induction banquet at Carrie Cerino’s Ristorante and Party Center, 8922 Ridge Road, in North Royalton, on June 2 at 3 p.m. Joe Santamaria, Eli Dixon, Leonard Church and Paul Buckner make up the induction class, with Ken Hill receiving the Man of the Year award and Marty Healy the Lifetime Achievement award.
Tickets are $40. Call Mike Galassi at 216-276-0123 or Gene Glen at 216-721-1674.
History: Bob Montgomery decisioned Beau Jack over 15 rounds in New York to win the lightweight title in 1943.
Friday: ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” are at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, where junior middleweight Delvin Rodriguez (27-6-3, 15 KOs) meets Freddy Hernandez (30-4, 20 KOs) at 10.
Saturday: HBO has a late afternoon bout as Carl Froch (30-2, 22 KOs) defends his IBF super middleweight title against WBA champ Mikkel Kessler (46-2, 35 KOs) in London at 6 p.m. It will be replayed at 10 p.m.