The past year has definitely been a test of lightweight Contender Anthony Peterson?s patience and overall professionalism. The undefeated fighter from Washington, DC was to have fought Edner Cherry in February of last year on the Miugel Cotto-Michael Jennings undercard in what would have likely been his biggest test as a professional but while in training he injured his left knee, forcing him to withdraw form the pay-per-view contest.
Peterson would fly under the radar for the remainder of the year with his only fight being a ten round decision over San Ysidro, California?s Luis Antonio Arceo. Peterson?s next bout would be third round stoppage over Juan Ramon Cruz in Gaylord, Texas the night before Manny Pacquiao?s dominant win over Joshua Clottey and things seemed to be looking up. With the win Peterson was in line to face the winner of the Humberto Soto-David Diaz bout for the vacant WBC lightweight championship the following evening but once again a curveball was thrown his way.
Soto ended up winning an uneven but clear decision over Diaz to capture the belt and soon the attention turned to a Soto-Peterson clash. Many people seemed to give the 25-year old Peterson a realistic chance because of his youth, aggression, and punishing attack to the body, which would likely have served him well against Soto, who was certainly proven but was also the older fighter moving up in weight and 60 fights into his professional career.
It was announced that the bout was likely to end up on the undercard portion of Miguel Cotto?s clash with Yuri Foreman this summer and Peterson soon broke for camp. Peterson claims that he was deep into training before being dealt with the heartbreaking news that Soto?s plans had changed, again leaving him on the outside looking in.
?It was actually set to go down June 5th at the Yankees stadium,? Peterson said earlier today at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. ?I even made a personal little video online for the fight because I was looking forward tot it so much. But unfortunately he pulled out and now they are talking that he fighting somebody May 15th or something like that.?
That somebody is relatively unknown Ricardo Dominguez from Tucson, Arizona, a man less deserving of a title opportunity than Peterson. When asked what it is that has kept him focused despite his recent setbacks, Peterson answers bluntly.
?I want to be a champion,? Peterson claimed. ?I have done everything in boxing, except become a world champion and fight in championship fights. This is the fight I have been waiting for and I am ready. I know that if they gave me the opportunity I would definitely take full advantage of it.?
At the moment their isn?t as much buzz going on at 135 pounds with former champions Pacquiao, Nate Campbell, Edwin Valero, and Juan Manuel Marquez all having made the move up to Jr. Welterweight in search of bigger bounty. Peterson feels that if anyone is to start ruling the division, it may as well be him.
?Nobody really stands out, just me,? he answered. ?It?s there for the taking. Everything I always do and need as far as taking the Lightweight division is right there. It?s wide open. I don?t think it would be that hard if I put the work it.?
With no foreseeable fight in his own future, Peterson was in town to show support to his brother Lamont, who fights this Saturday night against Damian Fuller at the Hard Rock. In closing Anthony speaks on the strong bond that has kept both men going through their recent ups and downs in the sport.
?It?s unconditional. There can never be another brotherhood like this as far as boxing is concerned. It?s the same thing we like to do. When I?m fighting he is going to be there. When he?s fighting I am definitely going to be there. So it?s no different.?
