Monday 23 January 2017 13:25, UK
Shawn Porter has revealed how Carl Frampton proved his toughness in a sparring session despite having just completed a long-haul flight.
WBA featherweight champion Frampton rematches Leo Santa Cruz next weekend, live on Sky Sports, and has been preparing in the Las Vegas gym owned by Porter.
"He actually sparred the first day that he got here," former world welterweight champion Porter exclusively told Sky Sports earlier this month.
He did what boxers do. He fought through being tired, and the time change.
"I didn't want to discourage him but I said: 'you guys are eight hours ahead of us, you've just got off a plane'. He said: 'yeah, I know'.
"He did what boxers do. He fought through being tired, and the time change.
"He went six rounds and wasn't the sharpest, but you understand why. This is a camp, so you know he'll improve and I'm excited."
Porter explained that he became a fan of Frampton after watching the Northern Irishman defeat Santa Cruz to become a two-weight world champion last July.
"He's a good dude," Porter said. "Prior to him fighting Santa Cruz for the first time, I knew his name but didn't know his style, or what he brought to the ring.
"I watched him in his fight before Leo, and was really impressive. I felt like this kid has it all, which is hard to come by. He's got the skills, speed, power and a nice style. In my opinion, that's rare out of the UK!
You guys are usually really fast or really strong, but you don't have anyone with the jazzy style that we have in the States. Man, that guy is pretty good.
"You guys are usually really fast or really strong, but you don't have anyone with the jazzy style that we have in the States. Man, that guy is pretty good.
"He immediately became someone that I was a fan of. My dad put it together for him to train at our facility, which was awesome. I got the chance to meet someone that I admired, and because he's from so far away, you never know when that opportunity is going to come.
"It's been a pleasure having him so far. He's going to be ready for his fight."
However, Porter, whose only defeats remain decisions to Kell Brook and Keith Thurman, is not expecting Frampton to win the upcoming rematch.
"I thought Leo won the first one," he admitted. "Like my fights with Thurman and Brook, it was a war. They will box non-stop and it's hard to pick a winner.
"Based on the fact that I don't think either will make big adjustments, I'll go with Santa Cruz again. I'll go with the home team. It's probably going to be extremely narrow because both are fast, with high work-rate and energy."
Watch Carl Frampton's rematch against Leo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas, live on Sky Sports 1, from 1am on Sunday January 29.
