Lamont Peterson may have scored a hometown win in Washington D.C. Saturday night taking the junior welterweight titles from Amir Khan. Regardless of how the referee saw pushing by Khan, resulting in point deductions, Peterson has to be hailed as the new chief because in the nation?s capitol his split decision win, was as good as the political upset.
Because Peterson is now classified as the chief at 140, and spoiled plans for Khan to look at moving up at 147, possibly taking on a Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr. the fight may be classified as an Upset of the Year. In boxing circles, whether the decision was justified or not, Lamont Peterson will take it.
Or there could be return bout, something Golden Boy Promotions and Oscar De La Hoya will ask for. The boxing politics in Washington commenced after the fight. Golden Boy, promoter of Khan, took exception to the decision though commending and recognizing Peterson as the new champion.
Peterson, 30-1-1, 15 KO?s, became a champion in his second title opportunity. It is another good success story for the sport, and a once homeless kid achieving a goal. The underdog, not given a chance came home and gave Khan a fight that was unexpected, now being hailed as the new chief in town.
The fourth fight for Khan in the United States was not what we saw at Madison Square Garden against Paulie Malignaggi last year. Then it was speed and power that had only been witnessed in the United Kingdom, the home for Khan where he is a huge draw with immense popularity. However, HBO and Golden Boy decided it was time to showcase Khan, in what they said, was the next superstar in the sport.
On one night, though, Peterson changed the plan. Whether it is at 140, or 147, Khan has to prove again that he is that emerging and potential superstar of the sport. Argue as you may, as did Golden Boy, that referee Joseph Cooper did not use proper discretion, Amir Khan was in trouble and he knew all about it.
