by David P. Greisman
Junior welterweight titleholder Lamont Peterson has been added to the Golden Boy Promotions stable, according to a press release issued by the promoter on Monday.
“I am excited about signing with Golden Boy Promotions and the opportunity to work with them again,” Peterson was attributed as saying in the statement. “Being with Golden Boy really gives me the chance to make the best fights available in my weight class. I want to fight the best in the world at 140, and I know it can happen as a member of the Golden Boy team. I am optimistic that this is a decision that will help further my career.”
Peterson last fought in December 2011 as part of a Golden Boy card, defeating Amir Khan via controversial split decision. Peterson and Khan were due to have a rematch last May, but that bout was canceled when testing done by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association revealed that Peterson had synthetic testosterone in his system. Peterson’s team has said that the testosterone was medical treatment that had been taken prior to the first Khan bout.
"We are thrilled that Lamont Peterson will be joining Golden Boy Promotions’ team,” Oscar de la Hoya, the company’s president, was attributed as saying in the statement. “We know firsthand what Lamont Peterson can do, as he’s been in the ring with our fighters Amir Khan and Victor Ortiz. We know that he is the kind of individual that will be an asset to our team and a great competitor in the 140-pound weight class.”
The 29-year-old from Washington, D.C., is due to fight in his hometown on Feb. 22, facing Kendall Holt on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.” He currently holds the International Boxing Federation’s belt at junior welterweight and has a record of 30-1-1 with 15 knockouts. Holt, a 31-year-old former titleholder from Paterson, N.J., is 28-5 with 16 knockouts.
David P. Greisman is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow David on Twitter @fightingwords2 or send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com
