Danny Garcia vs. Shawn Porter: Prediction, Betting Odds For Championship Boxing Fight

Just one week remains before pound-for-pound superstars Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez square off in Las Vegas for arguably the most anticipated championship fight of the year.

But on Saturday night, on the other side of the country, two highly polished welterweights meet in Brooklyn, as Shawn Porter (28-2-1, 17 KOs) and Danny Garcia (34-1, 20 KOs) battle for the vacant WBC title at Barclays Center.

Much like GGG and Alvarez, the two welterweight stars should provide a highly competitive and entertaining bout. Porter and Garcia have many similarities and the numbers prove it.

Garcia stands slightly above 5-foot-8, while Porter measures at about 5-foot-7. Porter has a 69.5-inch reach, while Garcia's reach is listed at 68.5 inches. Garcia has fought at Barclays six times, while Porter has fought there four times.

Both boxers fight from an orthodox stance. Both boxers are 30 years old.

Garcia and Porter even have similar knockout rates. Garcia has 20 knockouts in 35 fights (57 percent), while Porter has 17 knockouts in 31 fights (55 percent).

Indeed, it wouldn't be surprising if the fight ends in a knockout due to both fighters' ability to exploit their opponent's vulnerability. In his last fight, Garcia earned a technical knockout win over Brandon Rios. Porter's last fight resulted in a unanimous-decision win over Adrian Granados, but in April 2017 Porter defeated Andre Berto by a TKO.

Porter and Garcia also have a champion opponent in common, whom they both fight at Barclays Center: Keith "One Time" Thurman. Thurman defeated Garcia by a split decision in March 2017 after defeating Porter in June 2016 by a unanimous decision.

Thurman recently assessed the matchup, giving Garcia the edge in power, defense and technique, but gave Porter the edge in strength and speed. He said their ring I.Q. and chin are even.

"They both have enough power to hurt each other," Thurman said.

There is one notable difference between the two fighters: style. Garcia seems to let the fight come to him, patiently relying on counter punches to outlast his opponent. Porter, on the other hand, often dictates the pace of the fight by aggressively throwing more punches.

Should the fight go the distance, the more defensive-minded Garcia would probably have an edge because of his knack for doing just enough to win rounds.

Garcia is listed as the favorite at -165, according to betting site Bovada. Porter has +135 odds.

The 147-pound championship fight is part of Premier Boxing Champions and can be seen on Showtime.

Prediction: This has the makings of a classic, as both boxers have plenty of tools and know their legacy is on the line. Porter may feel he has more riding on this fight and in turn will be the more assertive power puncher. Porter is capable of landing at least one big and effective right hand, which could sting a perhaps overly defensive Garcia, resulting in a burst of combinations that ultimately drops Garcia.

Porter by TKO