LAS VEGAS – Shawn Porter was surprised that Terence Crawford dropped him twice during the 10th round Saturday night.

About an hour later, Porter surprised a room full of people by announcing his retirement during their post-fight press conference at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Porter, 34, stated that he would’ve retired win, lose or draw versus Crawford in their ESPN Pay-Per-View main event, in part because he initially expected to retire following his 12-round, split-decision defeat to Errol Spence Jr. in September 2019.

“I’m prepared to retire,” Porter said. “I was prepared to announce my retirement tonight, win, lose or draw. We had the date they was telling us we was gonna have to do it again [if Porter won]. I was not gonna do it again. I’m announcing my retirement right now.”

Porter, who works as an analyst for FOX Sports, will walk away from boxing with a record of 31-4-1, including 17 knockouts. Before Crawford dropped him twice in the 10th round and stopped him, Porter had only lost three competitive, 12-round decisions to Kell Brook (majority in August 2014), Keith Thurman (unanimous in June 2016) and Spence.

Porter, a Las Vegas resident raised in Akron, Ohio, won the IBF welterweight title and later the WBC belt during his 13-year pro career. Along the way, Porter defeated former or current champions in Yordenis Ugas, Danny Garcia, Andre Berto, Paulie Malignaggi, Devon Alexander and Julio Diaz.

Porter, proud of his accomplishments, decided to retire with his health and his wealth intact.

“I knew that Errol Spence Jr. was gonna be my last fight, after 2017 I think it was, when he won his championship [from Kell Brook],” Porter said. “And I said he would be the last one I fought. And after we fought, I felt there was something else, and that something else was Terence Crawford. I said win, lose or draw, it doesn’t matter – I’ve given this sport a great deal, from the training to the competition, and more training. And after you fought everybody at the top, what more do you do? I’m not gonna be a gatekeeper.” 

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for krikya360.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.