[7] In 2007 he won the United States Golden Gloves Championship, but at the PanAm Games Porter was knocked out in the second round by Cuban Emilio Correa.

[8] Though he boasts amateur victories[9] over current pro prospects Daniel Jacobs, Demetrius Andrade, Edwin Rodriguez, Shawn Estrada, Jonathan Nelson, and Oleksandr Usyk he came up just short in qualifying for the 2008 U.S. Olympics team.

[citation needed] Trained and managed by his father Kenny,[12] Porter began his pro career at 165+1⁄2lbs on October 3, 2008, at the Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland, US.

In December 2009, Porter took on undefeated 27-year-old Jamar Patterson (8–0, 4 KOs) at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota, in a scheduled 8-round fight.

Porter won his first Championship belt, the Interim WBO NABO Light Middleweight title against Russell Jordan (15–6, 10 KOs) on ESPN's Friday Night Fights on February 19, 2010.

[16] In July, Porter beat 24-year-old Ray Robinson (11–1, 4 KOs) via unanimous decision (99–89, 97–92, 98–91) at DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi.

Porter claimed the vacant WBO NABO welterweight title by defeating Alfonso Gómez (23–5–2, 12 KOs) on July 28 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.

Porter overcame a cut above his right eye in the opening round and a nasty gash in the tenth that spanned his left eyebrow to remain unbeaten.

[24][25] On December 15, Porter fought on the undercard of Khan-Molina at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles against veteran Mexican former world champion Julio Díaz (40–7, 29 KOs).

[28][29] On August 18, 2013, it was announced that Porter would be part of a triple header on Fox Sports 2 on September 12, headlining against Julio Díaz (40–8–1, 29 KOs) in a rematch.

[31] In October 2013, it was announced that Porter would challenge IBF Welterweight Champion Devon Alexander (25–1, 14 KOs) on November 30 at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio.

Alexander was thought to be making his second title defense against England's Amir Khan but Instead had to settle for facing Porter in a much lower-profile bout.

[41] On March 13, 2015, Porter was scheduled to make his debut as a part of the Premier Boxing Champions series on Spike TV against veteran Roberto García.

However, things came together and Erick Bone (16–1, 8 KOs) stepped in to face Porter on short notice at a contractually agreed-upon weight of 149lbs.

[51] It was announced on February 17, that WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman (26–0 (1), 22 KOs) would put his title on the line against Porter on March 12, 2016, at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

[53] Porter announced that his rescheduled world title clash against Thurman will take place on June 25 at the Barclays Center.

This was the first main event televised by CBS in prime time since February 15, 1978, when Muhammad Ali lost a 15-round split decision and the heavyweight title to Leon Spinks in a massive upset.

[62][63][64] Halfway through the press conference, promoter Lou DiBella confessed that he received a phone call from WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman and he reported the fight would be a final eliminator.

He also went on to state, if Porter or García declined to take part in the interim title fight, he would move on to the next highest available ranked fighter.

Instead his fight against 27 year old former light welterweight contender Thomas Dulorme (24–2, 16 KOs), who last fought in a stoppage loss to Terence Crawford in April 2015, would headline the preliminary card on Fox.

Mayweather Promotions released a statement confirming 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Yordenis Ugás (19–3, 9 KOs) would take his place in fighting Dulorme.

"[77] Before a crowd of 10,924, Porter fought hard to earn a 12-round unanimous decision over Granados to claim the vacant WBC Silver welterweight title.

[92] On November 13, 2018, it was announced that Porter would make his first defence of his WBC title on March 9, 2019, against 32 year old Cuban contender and Mandatory challender Yordenis Ugás (23-3, 11 KOs).

[93] Premier Boxing Champions and FOX were due to confirm the announcements, as part of their new partnership via a huge press conference in Los Angeles.

[94] Ugás became the mandatory challenger after defeating Argentine boxer Cesar Barrionuevo via a 12 round unanimous decision in what was a final eliminator on the Porter vs. García undercard.

In a high-octane fight in which both men fought in the pocket, Porter started fast, sometimes overwhelming Spence Jr. in the early rounds.

[98] On August 22, 2020, Porter made his first appearance back in the ring since losing his WBC title in a bout against undefeated former IBO welterweight champion Sebastian Formella.

[99] Porter dominated the fight, winning every round on all three judges' scorecards, with final scores of 120–108 across the board for a unanimous decision victory.

[104] On September 14, 2021, it was announced that a deal had been agreed to stage the fight on November 20 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, airing on ESPN+ PPV.

[105] Porter lost the bout via tenth-round technical knockout after being knocked down twice in the tenth round, prompting his corner to pull him from the fight.