Adrien Broner is stepping up the level of competition this Saturday after three straight one-sided decisions at junior welterweight that followed the first loss of his career, a December 2013 beating at the hands of Marcos Maidana.
Broner is confident heading into the fight with Porter, a former welterweight titlist. Broner has instituted a catch weight of 144 pounds-and a re-hydration clause stating neither fighter may weigh more than 155 pounds on fight night-so that could be adding to his confidence. However, Broner believes the boxing skills he showed most recently vs. John Molina Jr., and a disregard for fans' comments about his performances, will matter more.
"When I was in there [against Marcos Maidana] I was trying to be the tougher fighter. I was getting a lot of criticism," Broner said. "That's when I used to look on the social websites and see what they were saying but now I don't pay attention anymore. I just do me and get my victory."
Broner also has eliminated many distractions by shifting his camp to Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s gym in Las Vegas, where he is sometimes receiving instruction from the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
"Things take time in boxing," Mayweather said of Broner's bouts with immaturity and early disappointments. "You can't rush things."
Mayweather also believes that Broner's skill level is so high that he can handle hard-punching opponents like Porter provided he is focused. He cited Broner's unanimous decision win vs. Molina as an example, where popular Argentine fighter Lucas Matthysse was locked in a firefight when he took Molina on.
"The same guy that Bey lost to [John Molina Jr.] fought ... What's the name of the guy who is the big puncher?" Mayweather asked. Informed it was Matthysse, Mayweather continued.
"You saw those fights and you saw the difference in how Adrien Broner handled the guy [Molina Jr.]."
[Yahoo]
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