EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: SHAWN PORTER
By G. Leon

GL: Congrats on your victory can you give us some thoughts on your performance? "I thought I did a wonderful job tonight. I was very well prepared for my match and I'm happy with everything that I did tonight. I caught him with an awesome right hand and a couple of big left hooks, so it was a good night for me."

GL: Was there anything about Patterson that surprised you at all?

Shawn Porter: "Yeah, I thought I was going to be able to get him out of there earlier. He took some shots, I didn't expect him to get up from the knockdown so I commend him for coming to fight."

GL: You cut him with a jab, did that surprise you?

SP: "Nah, I caught him with a fast, quick jab. I believe I can outjab anybody. When I saw his right eye a little cut, I stepped it up a little bit more and split it open a little bit more."

GL: You've had great success at junior middleweight, but can also contend at 147, which is something the Showtime commentators touched on. Do you plan to campaign at welter in 2010?

SP: "It's very realistic, especially at this point of my career. We're looking to do some things at the 147 and 154 pound weight classes and hopefully one day conquer both of them."

GL: Do you feel your style is better suited for 147, especially since so many of the top guys at 154 are taller than you are?

SP: "Height has never been a problem for me. My style is fitted for both weight classes, but my promoters and management are taking a look at some things and they're thinking 147 could be a division for me to dominate."

GL: What are your goals for 2010?

SP: "To make it like 09 and keep going and keep striving and keep improving and keep winning."

GL: You're next fight will take place on February 19, correct?

SP: "Yes sir, February 19 on ESPN. I don't know who the opponent is going to be yet."

GL: How many times do you plan on fighting next year?

SP: "I fought 11 times this year. So hopefully we can duplicate that."

GL: Brain Young has been doing a great job of keeping you busy.

SP: "Brian and Russ and the whole organization is aweome and they have been great for me. I'm proud to be with Prize Fight. We're like family."

GL: What part of your game do you feel needs the most sharpening at this point?

SP: "All of it really. You grow and you learn things as a professional and I'm still learning and I'm still growing."

GL: Who do you think won the Williams-Martinez fight?

SP: "That was a very interesting fight, but I think Paul pulled it out though."

GL: Berto-Mosley?

SP" "Mosley. He's one of my favorite boxers."

GL: Mayweather-Pacquiao?

SP: "Pacquiao."

GL: Closing thoughts?

SP: "I had an awesome night, I want to thank everybody for watching and keep up with me.""

Send questions and comments to: boxingtalkg@yahoo.com