Mon Feb 08 2010
by Frank Aceto
Associate Sports Editor
Shawn Porter could barely control himself.
"I was dancing when I found out," said the 20-year-old 2006 Stow-Munroe Falls graduate.
It's not known if he will become the next sports celebrity to try out for "Dancing with the Stars" down the road, but pardon Porter for getting a little excited about his future.
That's because Porter is expected to announce his intention to sign a contract to become a professional boxer.
The former amateur world and national champion is expected to make his announcement Sept. 26.
The press conference is scheduled to take place at Sweat 24/7, 405 Rothrock Road, Fairlawn.
It is set to begin at 5:30 p.m.
"It feels great," Porter said. "I've been working for this for a long time. It's a dream come true."
Porter is expected to box in the super welterweight division (154) pounds. He recently returned from Beijing, China, where he was an alternate on the 2008 Olympic Team.
"Beijing was great," Porter said. "It was the best trip of my life. It was a great way to end my career with USA Boxing."
Porter has other priorities in mind, too.
He plans to attend the Ohio Broadcasting School and is expected to eventually move to Las Vegas.
"This is big for him," said Ken Porter, Shawn's father, manager and trainer. "We've worked a long time to get to this point. Now he can start the next portion of his career."
Porter could have four professional bouts under his belt by the end of this year.
He is expected to compete in four-round bouts to start his career and eventually compete in longer matches down the road.
"I've never fought more than four rounds as an amateur," Porter said. "We've trained for sixes when we did fours, and we'll train for eights when we do sixes. When we train for 12s, we'll treat it like it's our life."
And Porter doesn't plan to treat his professional career as if it were just a normal job.
He has eyes on a rather large prize.
"I see myself with the [world championship] belt around my waist," Porter said.
E-mail: faceto@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3914
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