I remember when I first saw Lamont Peterson. He was the talk of the town in the Memphis, TN area, a former homeless kid who just like his brother Anthony had to fight on the streets. He had to learn to live on the streets as well. I mention Memphis, TN because he and his brother both built their fan-base and their records under Prize Fight Promotions. Based out of Tunica, MS just south of Memphis, Brian and Russ Young brought both kids from nothing to world title contention.
Before any of that happened Lamont and Anthony Peterson were living out on the streets in Washington DC. They would both sneak into places to keep warm. They did what they had to do in order to survive.
Then came coach Barry Hunter, a fine man that would take the boys in, and he would teach them about life and how to be men. Hunter taught the Peterson’s how to box, and he taught them discipline.
Now both men are contenders in their respective weight classes. Anthony Peterson after suffering a DQ Vs. Brandon Rios has some work to do in order to get back into title contention. Both Lamont and Anthonthy recently suffered their first defeats, and both guys are looking to rebound and get back into the thick of things.
Lamont stepped way up and faced current WBO light welterweight world champion Timothy Bradley. He lost a unanimous decision. This was the first big test for the young Peterson and although he came up short, it was something that probably needed to happen. Peterson went back to the drawing board and came back with a nice knockout win over Damian Fuller.
On December 11th Peterson will face the young and extremely talented Victor Ortiz (28-2-22KO-1D) . Ortiz since losing and basically quitting against Marcos Maidana, has strung together 4 straight wins. Two of them coming against former world champions. He would defeat undisputed lightweight world champion Nate Campbell and former world champ Vivian Harris.
This is a huge fight for both fighters. Peterson needs this victory to be considered an A tier world title type fighter, and Ortiz needs the win to maintain his winning streak and ultimately score the big payday fight, and a possible world title himself. Oddly enough, it’s a sort of crossroads fight for both guys despite their youth.
If Peterson can pull off the win, he definitely positions himself into world title consideration once again. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy, he’s a class act.
