Shawn Porter has fought a who’s who of great welterweight fighters over the last several years. Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman, Kell Brook, and in his last fight, Errol Spence, Jr., just to name a few.

He may not know a whole lot about his next foe, but that does not mean Porter will cut corners or take him lightly in the ring.

Porter will square off against Sebastian Formella of Germany Saturday night at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles. The 12-round elimination bout will headline a three-fight ‘FOX PBC Fight Night’ telecast (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).

The 30-year-old (30-3-1, 17 knockouts), who is originally from Akron, Ohio and now lives and trains in Las Vegas, lost by split-decision to Spence in a unification world title fight on September 28, which also took place in Los Angeles. Porter would lose his WBC title.

Porter will face Formella (22-0, 10 KOs), an undefeated fighter who will be taking a huge step-up in opposition. In his last fight on January 18, Formella defeated Nicaragua’s Roberto Arriaza by unanimous decision. In his previous fight on July 6 of last year, the 33-year-old grinded out a close decision win over Thulani Mbenge of South Africa.

Few give Formella any chance of beating Porter, who is a huge favorite Saturday night, but that does not mean Porter is overlooking his opponent.

“He’s tall and rangy,” Porter told BoxingScene over the phone earlier this week. “I understand from my Dad and my team not to take anyone lightly. My Dad makes sure that we’re all on the same page. He makes sure that the preparation for this fight is at its best. We don’t do less than 100 percent for any training camp. We demand that of ourselves.”

“Formella has an idea how to use the ring so we’re going to be patient from the beginning and know when to begin to cut the ring off and start to outbox him. He might seem like a basic fighter with decent tools, but we’re going to be intelligent to outbox and get the job done.”

Porter’s popularity has increased in recent fights, particularly in those where he was not favored to win. His resume of opponents over the last several years has been either top contenders or world titleholders.

Despite losing the IBF title to Kell Brook in August 2014, Porter would defeat Adrien Broner by decision, but come up short in a close fight to Keith Thurman in June 2016.

Porter world eventually win the vacant WBC title with a win over Danny Garcia in September 2018.

Still regarded as one of the top welterweights in boxing today, Porter enjoys modest popularity today amongst boxing fans. He still attends most of the big fights (pre-pandemic) and appreciate the support from fans.

“I’m a fan of sports and I see how athletes in other sports interact with fans. I appreciate my fans or this who follow my career. When I’m out in public, I take pictures with them or sign what they have in their hand. I want to give fans my best because they keep my pockets full. Fans will always be important to me.”

A win over Formella would put Porter back where he could challenge Spence in a rematch or face WBA titleholder Manny Pacquiao. Even after the loss to Spence, Porter was on board in facing WBO titleholder Terence Crawford.

Porter has always wanted to fight the best, whether they have a world title or not, but he also wants to prove those who doubt him.

“All throughout my life and my career, I always feel like I have something to prove, especially against the naysayers. I’m just going to continue working and fighting the best. Nothing will change.”

“I just want to be great.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing