Lamont Peterson Looks To Return In May, Supports Team On 4/1
Mar 1, 2016 • 8:21 PM ET
By Jake Donovan
A lesser man would have looked on with envy as a press conference was held to announce a show he should not only be a part of, but serving as the headlining act.
Instead, Washington D.C.’s own Lamont Peterson forever plays the role of team player.
Much love has been afforded the former 140 lb. champ whenever he steps into the ring. This time it was his turn to support his gym mates, including younger brother Anthony Peterson and four-division titlist Adrien Broner, both of whom will appear on an April 1 show at the D.C. Armory.
Broner will face Ashley Theophane in the evening’s headliner, which will air live as the 2016 debut of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike TV. Anthony will appear off camera versus an opponent to be determined.
The date was once targeted for the elder Peterson to headline, though not necessarily in D.C. He accepted terms for a proposed welterweight eliminator with former 147 lb. titlist Andre Berto, with the fight targeted as the one to kick off the 2016 season of PBC on Spike and venue holds placed in D.C. and South Florida.
The winner would have moved forward in a proposed World Boxing Council (WBC) tournament that is enjoying only slightly more progress at welterweight than has been the case one division north.
Peterson isn’t yet part of that success, unless moving forward by default can be claimed as a moral victory. Berto opted to move in a different direction, leaving Peterson in the role of spectator while awaiting his marching orders.
“They’ve been telling me to be ready for May, but nothing’s really set yet,” Peterson (34-3-1, 17KOs) told BoxingScene.com during the press conference held Monday afternoon at the historic W Washington Hotel. “As long as it’s a big fight, I don’t care. I’m just staying ready for anything that comes my way.”
For now, it’s continuing to play the role of gym rat, a classification with which he’s identified for his entire career. Whether training for a fight or supporting the boxers that occupy Coach Barry Hunter’s HeadBangers Boxing Gym, Peterson is just as willing to serve as that extra set of eyes as he’s willing to gear up for any given opportunity.
He’ll be on hand to help out all of the fighters on the show, as well as Ohio products Broner and Robert Easter Jr., who split time between Cincinnati and D.C. They’ve already relocated training camp to HeadBangers to prepare for the April show, with Easter Jr. (16-0, 13KOs) facing former 130 lb. titlist Algenis Mendez in the chief support.
Naturally, the competitor in Peterson would’ve loved to appear on this show, but is just as happy to see the advancement of his teammates.
“I’ve been telling Adrien he should fight here, for a few years now,” Peterson notes. “It’s a good fight town, he’s got a nice fan base and a lot of love around here. It’s going to be a really good show and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in the gym get a win.”
The chance Peterson obtaining another win remains delayed.
His last fight came in October, barely getting past previously unbeaten Felix Diaz in their NBC-televised headliner in Fairfax, Virginia. The outcome was as disputed as was the case in his 12-round points loss to Danny Garcia last April in Brooklyn, New York.
A six-month turnaround wasn’t ideal but seemingly manageable. It now appears that Peterson will have to wait at least one more month, with the stakes possibly not as high as would’ve been the case in a fight with Berto.
Still, he remains forever optimistic that 2016 will provide great moments for his boxing family – perhaps more so for those around him.
“I believe that Anthony and I will both fight for – and win - title this year, but Anthony should likely get his shot before me,” Peterson believes. “He’s paid his dues, he fell off for a bit but is working hard to get back on top. I believe these next few months, it’s Anthony’s time to shine.
“My time will come. Right now, I’m just getting ready for the next one.”
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
