Terence Crawford and Shawn Porter have love fest before Nov. 20

Terence Crawford and Shawn Porter faced off for the first time ahead of their Nov. 20 welterweight title fight. Both men showed respect. 

Terence Crawford is in for the toughest fight of his career against former welterweight champion Shawn Porter. They came together for a press conference on Oct. 9 during the Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder fight day.

Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs) is the undefeated WBO welterweight champion, and he’s looking to complete a takeover of the division. Step1 is beating Porter.

Porter (31-3-1, 17 KOs) has some blemishes on his record, but he always pushes his opponent to the brink. This fact isn’t lost on Crawford or his team.

“We always have had a good relationship ever since the amateur days,” said Crawford. “There has never been any bad blood. It’s always been all love, but come Nov. 20, we step on him.”

Crawford was respectful of Porter, but he was also adamant that Nov. 20 will be his night.

“Unlike other fighters that you [Porter] fought, I’m different,” said Crawford. “I believe you know that I’m different. The more you push, the more I will push. You hit me hard, and l will hit you even harder if you can last. That’s what makes this fight a great fight.”

Terence Crawford and Shawn Porter showed respect during their press conference, but they will be all action on Nov. 20

Porter was complimentary of Crawford’s boxing esteem.

“He is a dominant fighter,” said Porter of Crawford. “Everyone he gets in the ring with, he dominates. I want to be the one fighter that he can’t dominate. Everything that is required to beat Terence, I got it. It’s time to take on this challenge.”

While Porter was flattering of Crawford at times, he was critical of his résumé.

“We can talk all about resumes, but when I look at his resume, nobody that has been in the ring with him knows him as I know him,” said Porter. “The best of Terence Crawford will bring out the best of Shawn Porter. What I do know is Nov. 20 is a big day for boxing, and it will be a big day for Team Porter.”

Crawford and Porter showed shades of a friendly rivalry, but they will not be friends in the ring on Nov. 20 in what should be an amazing matchup.