Lem Satterfield of AOL Boxing Fanhouse is reporting that Lamont Peterson is slated to fight WBC Lightweight champion Edwin Valero in June or July. Washington, DC is one of the two possible sites for the bout and the bout could end up on either HBO or Showtime.
Peterson (27-1, 13 KO's) is coming off an unsuccessful title bid against WBO Junior Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley last December. However, Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum, who promotes Peterson and Valero, told Satterfield that Peterson's performance was worthy of another high-profile bout.
"As far as Peterson is concerned, it's a high profile fight that gets him back into the mix after the loss to Bradley. This is because he lost in the ring, but he didn't lose in the court of public opinion," said Arum. "Lamont Peterson fought a very courageous, gutty fight, it's just that the guy, on that night, was better than he was."
Valero (27-0, 27 KO's) last fought on February 6 and scored a 10th round knockout over Antonio DeMarco. Valero will be moving up to 140 pounds for the bout. The WBC considers Valero a "champion in recess" which means he can still hold his title while taking a non-title bout. There will be an interim championship bout on March 13 between Humberto Soto and David Diaz in Arlington, TX.
Satterfield adds that there are a couple of issues that need to be resolved involving Valero. This is from Satterfield's article:
One stems from a DUI last May, which resulted in the champion's being denied a U.S. visa pending the successful completion of an alcohol education program.
The other is the stigma from brain surgery Valero received as the result of a 2001 motorcycle accident that caused a blood clot later revealed during an MRI.
Cleared to fight by a Venezuelan doctor following successful surgery that removed the clot, Valero still was placed on indefinite medical suspension by the New York State Athletic and later banned by most athletic associations which supported the NYSAC's move.
"Valero's MRI is completely clean now, and as far as the Visa, we'll have to talk to the Washington, D.C., commission," said Arum.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes. Wooooooooow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteman, a genuis in match making.but bad 4 the sport.a sad case.peterson come on man .fight someone without a handicap bro.come on barry.i thought better of u ,but i understand the business side of the game.
ReplyDeletecome on barry an lamount,please.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the other location being considered for the fight?
ReplyDeleteI am honestly surprised Peterson would want a fight such as this RIGHT after coming off a defeat. Guttsy move not scheduling a tune up, or a retune up fight rather, before.
ReplyDeleteDidn't know Valero had so many health issues. Still think Valero will win though. The Peterson Brothers will join the list of other fights with gassed up records that when put in with tough competition, continue to fail. I said this before when they both fought sure win opponents on ESPN about a year or 2 years ago and BARELY won.
Florida is the other location possible. Don't know where in Florida, though.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt Valero looked great in the DeMarco fight. But he has been inconsistent in his career. I give Peterson a great shot at winning this one.
ReplyDeleteWould love a DC championship fight.
Thanks Gary
ReplyDeleteA DC fight makes no sense to any promoter and will not happen.
ReplyDeleteThe last time the petersons fought here they may have had a couple hundred paying customers and it takes alot more than that to spark the interests of any promoter that would want to bring the show here.
When the Petersons last fought in DC in May of 2007, they were merely prospects. I was told they had a little more than a few hundred paying customers.
ReplyDeleteLamont just fought for a world title and they have another promoter in Top Rank now. I think the stakes are a little higher and a card like that for DC could easily work.
a fight with a small valero is much easier than a rematch with bradley.
ReplyDeletei pick peterson in upset. gheto youth will be served.
This is not a smart move at all. This has to be about money.
ReplyDeleteBarry & Lamont have a Good Relationship, if they didnt feel confident that they can win the Fight, they wouldn't take the Fight! Head-Bangers do you'll Thing!
ReplyDeleteUpton Gym
Mr williams don't misinterpet my comments.I have always and to this day are still big fans of the peterson brothers and Mr Hunter.
ReplyDeleteBut the proof is in the puddin.
It appears that bringing the show to the Patriot center would make alot of sense and I believe the turnout and the support for Lamont would be alot higher.
I think the main point is to bring the fight to the DC area. Whether it's the Patriot Center, MCI Center, or hell, fight at the Kennedy Center under a $1 million chandelier. Just somewhere in the DC area.
ReplyDeleteIt would be NICE to have a championship fight in the DC area BUT, I dont think it's going to happen. This fight will most likely happen in Las Vegas, California, or New York. Sad but true. Big name boxing promtoers are scared to place title fight outside those three areas. I remember watching a marathon on ESPN of Muhammad Ali fights and he had TITLE fights in Maryland, Ohio, Georgia, Texas, and Kentucky.
ReplyDeleteGary, I am a youngster. Why do boxing promoters like Bob Arum rarely go outside the Las Vegas, California, and New York areas for title fights.
Different reasons for each location. For Las Vegas, it's the obvious, there is money from the casinos that can work with bringing the title bouts there.
ReplyDeleteNew York: it's tradition. Bringing title bouts to "The World's Most Famous Arena (Madison Square Garden)," still has a mystique to it.
In California, I think it depends more on whose headlining in many respects.
We've had our share of title bouts, but in just about every case, the card was headlined by a local fighter.
Remember my words, Peterson gets destroyed! Look at what Bradley did to him, and multiple it times 10. Barry get your head out of your rear and take an easier fight coming off his first loss. I think it's time to get a new trainer for Lamont.
ReplyDeleteChris Middendorf
it sounds like middendorf is layin 10 to 1 against lamont il take that for 1k are you interested?
ReplyDelete