By Jake Donovan
To hear him tell it, Sergey Lipinets’ thrilling 10th round knockout of Lamont Peterson last weekend appeared far more brutal on television than was actually the case.
Then again, he was the one who ultimately prevailed.
The former 140-pound titlist rallied from an early deficit to drop and eventually stop Peterson in the main event of Sunday’s PBC on FS1 telecast in Oxon Hill, Md. The non-stop action and sheer brutality of the event has many hailing it as the leading Fight of the Year candidate, with both fighters absorbing heavy leather throughout the contest.
Or as the winner sees it—just another fight night.
“I wasn’t hurt at all, not even for a second,” Lipinets (15-1, 11KOs) insisted to BoxingScene.com “The body shots Lamont landed sounded good for the judges but most were landing on my elbows and arms. Some got through, but that’s why we train hard, to able to take those punches.”
Lipinets’ power shots got through late in the fight, enough to send Peterson (35-5-1, 17KOs) sprawling to the canvas late in the 10th round. The local favorite from nearby Washington D.C. struggled to make it to his feet, but wouldn’t have to absorb any more punishment as he was rescued by his longtime trainer and father figure Barry Hunter.
A title wasn’t at stake in the contest, but was an opportunity Lipinets willingly accepted to prove he belongs among the best welterweights in the world today. Peterson was just the second current or former titlist he’s faced in his five years as a pro—the other occasion resulted in his lone loss, a competitive but clear decision to Mikey Garcia to end his 140-pound title reign last March.
Given the brutal nature of his latest ring affair, most would expext the 30-year Russian boxer to take a lengthy break followed by perhaps a softer touch before pursuing bigger game. Neither of those scenarios are of any interest to him, though.
If anything, it’s something his team would’ve perhaps considered in lieu of this bout.
“I admit, I was somewhat timid about having Sergey take this fight,” notes manager Alex Vaysfeld, a surprising statement considering how aggressively Lipinets has been matched in his young career. “It wasn’t just the level of opposition, but also knowing where the fight was taking place.
“Sergey insisted on taking the fight, though, for one reason; to gauge himself on how he fits among the best (welterweights out there).”
He passed with flying colors in just his second bout at 147 after moving up from the super lightweight division. With the win, the only direction he’s interested in moving is forward. His future goals are ambitious amongst a loaded welterweight field including Errol Spence, Keith Thurman, Terence Crawford, Manny Pacquiao, Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia.
Every one of those names are officially on his hit list.
“Coming into the fight, I knew it was imperative not only to win but to make a statement that I belong with the best in the division,” Lipinets insists. “That was one of the reasons we switched trainers (from Buddy McGirt) to Joe Goossen. Now that I proved myself, I’ll take a little time off to be with my family and then return to the gym to prepare for my next fight.
“I would like to fight again no later than July or August. My manager Alex Vaysfeld and my adviser Al Haymon will decide who’s next for me, but there’s no question it has to be against one of the top five guys in the division.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
