By Rick Reeno
When Barry Hunter, trainer/manager of junior welterweight Lamont Peterson, got a call from Top Rank with an offer to fight hard-punching Edwin Valero - a big smile ran ran across his face. The unbeaten Venezuelan is targeting the big fights at junior welterweight, and Peterson is the likely opponent to test Valero's potential at 140-pounds.
"If Valero moves up, then it's a done deal, and it looks like that what's going to happen," Hunter told BoxingScene.com. "We are ready to get at him."
If the fight happens, Top Rank told Hunter to expect a possible June date in Washington, DC - which is Peterson's hometown. Valero has to get his boxing license in in order, and more importantly a visa to enter the United States.
Peterson picked up the first loss of his career when he challenged Timothy Bradley last December. Suffering his first career loss was a big learning experience. Peterson is already back in the gym and working hard to correct the mistakes he committed against Bradley.
"He's in the gym working hard. He's learning from his mistakes. He's going to be ready," Hunter said.
Hunter watched a few rounds of Valero's recent TKO win over Antonio DeMarco. He was impressed with Valero. He tells BoxingScene that Valero's unpredictable style is what makes him a very dangerous opponent, but Hunter also knows of a simple solution to control an unpredictable fighter like Valero.
"That was probably the best he ever looked to me. The thing that makes him dangerous - in Valero's case - is it's hard to fight a fighter who is unorthodox, rather than a fighter who displays a lot of skill. But, all of that can be controlled with the jab," Hunter said. "It's the easiest punch in boxing to learn but it's the hardest punch to discipline people to use."
