
by David P. Greisman
Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko had often been asked if they would ever face each other — after all, they were the two best heavyweights in the world, and a bout between them would narrow that number down to one.
They refused, however. Similarly, lightweight contender Anthony Peterson says he and his older brother, 140-pound titleholder Lamont, wouldn’t share a ring in anything but a sparring session.
“That’ll never happen,” Anthony Peterson said. “We spar every day, but in the ring you go to hurt people. Them eight-ounces [gloves], they hurt. I know he don’t want to hurt me, and I don’t want to hurt him, so it’ll be a boring sparring match [in an otherwise pro fight]. That’ll never happen.”
Meanwhile, there’s no professional rivalry in terms of accomplishments. Lamont has done much more than Anthony in the pro ranks so far and has received a far greatr spotlight. Anthony says he doesn’t feel any pressure to catch up with his brother.
“When Lamont winning, I’m winning,” Anthony said. “When you see him happy, I’m happier. When you see Lamont sad, I’m sadder. It’s always going to be that way. Always.”
Pick up a copy of David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsamazon or internationally at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsworldwide. Send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com