Last December was supposed to be a coming out party for Jr. Welterweight contender Lamont Peterson. Carrying an undefeated record into his bout with WBO champion Timothy Bradley, the Washington, DC fighter was banking on his ring savvy, versatility, and fluid boxing ability to carry the day against his buddy from Palm Springs.
Unfortunately it wasn?t meant to be as Peterson suffered a third round knockdown on his way to losing a clear decision to Bradley. Despite fighting well and showing courage, Peterson seemed to be in a slight funk and his supporters immediately began eyeing his return to the ring after the first loss of his career.
Peterson is slated to fight this Saturday night against well traveled Damian Fuller at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Speaking on what the bout means to him, Peterson is chomping at the bit to get back on the horse and get back on track.
?It?s great to be returning to the ring coming off of my first loss,? the 26-year old stated. ?I felt that it wasn?t one of my best performances. I?m anxious to get back in the ring and show what I really can do. I definitely did not perform my best. I learned a lot of things; mainly something about me as a person. It?s a lesson that I have been trying to learn for a long time but I finally go the lesson this time and it is going to benefit me not only in the ring but outside of the ring.?
There had been rumors that if Peterson were to pass his test with Fuller that he would be in line for a crack at Venezuelan firecracker Edwin Valero. That possible matchup seems to have some uncertainty surrounding it now, however, as Valero has been the center of much controversy after his wife was taken to a hospital after having suffered multiple bruises to her lungs. There was initially speculation that the fighter was to blaim for the injuries but Valero was later cleared of any charges himself. Things then took a turn as Valero later admitted himself for drug and alcohol rehab, again littering his once-promising career with more question marks. Peterson admits that he had been eying the fight and hopes it can still come about.
?I think he is an excellent fighter,? he said of Valero. ?I think that is the fight that I need to get back to the championship stage. A fight with him would be good for the fans and for the winner we would be fighting for a world title so I think that?s the fight that should happen. I know he had some troubles but hopefully the fight can still be made.?
At the moment there isn?t a division in the sport with as much talent as the Jr. Welterweight class, as there is a bevy of proven veterans and hungry up and comers at 140 pounds. The division will be on center stage come May 15th when Amir Khan defends his title against Paulie Malignaggi in New York and Lamont seems undecided on the contest.
?That fight is kind of tricky to me because both guys are going to move and they aren?t really going to take chances,? he stated. ?It?s whoever has the most patience and whoever does that will win that fight.?
Another dangerous fighter is interim WBA champion Marcos Maidana, who is coming off of an explosive sixth round stoppage over Dominican Victor Cayo. It was recently reported that Maidana could find himself in the ring with Bradley on June 19th and while Peterson concedes that the Argentinean is dangerous, he still sees some serious flaws.
?He?s a real good fighter when you stand there with him. But any boxer I think beats him.?
One man who has raised his stock dramatically is IBF and WBC champion Devon Alexander. Last month the St. Louis native produced a signature performance in dismantling and stopping hard-charging former champion Juan Urango in Connecticut and Peterson concedes that he definitely took notice.
?Yes I was impressed with his victory,? he said. ?I was surprised he knocked him out. I knew he would win but I was surprised that he knocked him out. Devon is a real slick fighter and I think with him you have to get him out of his comfort zone and make him come forward. It would be a different fight then.?
Whatever direction his career heads from here it is obvious that Peterson will be in the thick of things if he can get past Fuller this Saturday night. In closing the modest fighter notes that he may have been set back a few steps with the loss to Bradley, but not enough to deter his aspirations.
?I feel that I am right there but with my last fight I kind of dropped the ball fighting the number one guy out there. I wanted to be the number one guy so I am kind of behind I believe. Of course when it is all said and done I will be crowned the 140 pound king. I?m just going to keep working at it until I get back to that point.?
