Porter has been retired for a couple of months now so we’ve had time to reflect on his career. In my opinion he was very good but not quite on the elite level (Spence, Crawford and Thurman, Brook) although he alway showed up to win and arguably won some of those bouts.
I think your last sentence said it all. Spence always showed up to win. I think that is a legacy of which he would be proud.
Porter was a two time world champion who lacked that something extra needed to be truly elite but always gave everything he had and brought anyone he faced a tough nights work. He overcame his own flaws through sheer determination and ruggedness. A fearless warrior of the sport who always fought the toughest competition unlike many today who still haven't, and took on the biggest challenges he could. Porter was just one point down on the judges cards against Keith "One time I was a boxer" Thurman and pushed Spence through tweleve losing a split decision to him. A split decision against the best Welterweight in the sport at the time. Porters legacy is that of a true fighter' not a social media brand image diva. Porter is the kind of boxer this sport desperately needs more of, someone willing to fight the best at their best.
Even though he lost to him, he elevated his game enough after the fight to be placed next to Brook and also has a better resume.
He hung in there with the best, but came up short in his biggest fights. Porter was never really a dangerous opponent, his legacy is an above average fighter. Solid chin, average skills, average speed, average defense. When we talk about Gatekeepers what do you think he was to Crawford? A "stay busy" fight for Crawford? A "measuring stick" fight for Crawford? Did anyone expect Porter to beat Bud? He gave Thurman and Spence close fights, definitely a tough fighter who can hang in there and keep rounds close but he was clearly limited as a fighter and he got outclassed in those big fights.
I think it’s pretty unfair to say he’s not elite. Excluding Crawford, all the fights he had with top guys were super close, and many boxing fans believe he could have easily gotten the nod. Even in the Crawford fight he was winning before the stoppage. I’d say he was elite, just on the unlucky side of decisions
He made up for the gap in skill by his toughness and maintaining a good work rate in those fights. Spence was a split decision 116-111 x2 and the 115-112 for Porter. He would have had to win the last 2 rounds to get a draw, and he was KD in the 11th and lost the 12th. He would have had to win the last 3 rounds on the cards to win. Against Thurman, he was down by 2 points on 2 cards heading into Round 11. If he won both round 11 and 12 he could have got a majority draw. I don't think there was anything unlucky about his losses to Thurman or Spence. The better fighter won in both cases.
I think Shawn had a pretty good career. Always came to fight, never changed his style, loved to trade and go for a stoppage. Sure he lost to some top 47's but he beat some good ones too. IBF and WBC 147 pound titles. His fight with Spence was a very good fight IMO, he showed heart toward the end of his career. I really thought if he got a rematch vs Thurman he would have got his revenge. A 15 round fight Porter beats Keith. But a 12 round rematch I feel woulda been Shawn's. But all in all I give Shawn's career a 7 1/2 outta 10
