Amir Khan vs Lamont Peterson: Preview and Prediction
by Gautham Nagesh
WASHINGTON, DC–With so much talk about the significance of tonight’s main event to boxing as a whole and in Washington specifically, we should remember there is a fight taking place between two world-class contenders in the prime of their careers. Both have suffered just one defeat and could rightly claim to be the best in the junior welterweight division with a win Saturday night on HBO.
Amir Khan and Lamont Peterson both come with engaging back-stories, but Khan is the moneyman in the division and tabbed by many in the boxing world as the next great superstar. Both men have done the job of rebuilding after their first professional losses and neither will be eager to experience their second, but the winner would instantly become the marquee name at 140 lbs.
If Khan wins, a move up to welterweight and possible May date against pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather await. For Peterson a win would put a Hollywood ending on a lifetime of struggle and place him among childhood idols Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson and Keith Holmes in the annals of D.C. boxing history. A rematch against his lone conqueror Tim Bradley could follow, or any number of compelling matchups at 140 lbs including Marcos Maidana and Brandon Rios.
“He’s strong, he’s been in in with some big names. He’s very experienced. A lot of people don’t fight him because they’re afraid of getting beat by him. He’s not really had that big chance. We’ve given him that big chance, now let’s see if he can go and grab that,” Khan said Thursday. “I like to bring the best fights to the fans and this is one of the biggest fights.”
A win would make Lamont the first real boxing star in DC since Johnson hung up his gloves and enable the nation’s capital to host at least one more huge title fight. Reserved and soft-spoken, Peterson is a rangy boxer that relies on precise counterpunching from the outside to win his bouts. He keeps his hands low, defends by moving his head and weaves to connect cleanly with both hands.
While it will be difficult for Khan to look good against Peterson, it will be equally tough for the local to match Khan’s volume punching. Peterson may land the cleaner shots but he is not a big puncher and Khan will be far busier. Lamont’s best chance may come by walking Khan down and unloading on the inside, as he did against both Victor Cayo and Victor Ortiz in the latter rounds of their draw.
Lamont is smaller but may be physically stronger; he recovered from knockdowns against both Bradley and Ortiz, two of the division’s heavier punchers. Peterson is quick but relies more on timing than Khan, who is blessed with some of the sport’s fastest hands. Lamont must cut off the ring, keep his hands up and deliver the jab consistently if he wants to stay close on the scorecards.
“The thing with Lamont Peterson is, physically he’s a strong guy. We know that we need to be ready for that strength,” Khan said. “So we were working with a lot heavier guys and working on new techniques and working a lot on strength as well because we know if could be a long fight.”
With his amateur pedigree and range of physical gifts it’s no surprise Amir Khan is considered a boxer first. His knockouts generally come through accumulation of blows and he lacks true one-punch KO power, though he has shown considerable pop in his right hand to the body in recent bouts against Marcos Maidana and Zab Judah. Khan is a complete and technically sound fighter, careful on defense but willing to take risks.
Khan’s conditioning, work rate and constant use of the jab alone would ensure him victory against all but the sport’s premier fighters. His weaknesses are a tendency to ignore the body at times and a chin still considered suspect by some in boxing, though he has shown more fortitude since recovering from his first-round loss to Breidis Prescott in 2008.
Khan possesses a superlative jab, both lightning quick and stern enough to do this site proud. Everything he does comes from that jab, which is generally followed by an equally fast straight right or a rapid four-punch combination. Combination punching and speed are Khan’s other greatest assets; he’s capable of sending several shots in the span it takes a normal fighter to throw a single punch.
“He’s fast. He throws a lot of punches. Good jab. He does a lot of things well. What we’ve been focusing on over the past few months is taking away his strengths,” Peterson told Stiff Jab on Thursday. “We want to mix it up. I’m going to tell you the truth, it’s hard to counter someone that throws combinations. And he throws combinations so it’s always hard to counter. We gotta pick and choose our spots well.”
Against Paulie Malignaggi Khan’s ability to react and follow the initial exchange immediately proved too much for the Brooklynite. Remaining calm in the face of his constant action and frenetic pace will be greatest mental challenge for Peterson. If he can stay calm he can use his timing to negate Khan’s speed, but he must still throw enough punches to impress the judges.
With his speed and athletic ability Khan should come storming out of the gates and Peterson, traditionally a slow-starter, will be hard-pressed to match him at first. Khan will start looking to land the jab and follow it with flurries from both hands. Khan also likes to use the ring to get off first and get out, allowing him to dictate when the fighters engage with his superior foot movement.
Peterson will try to disrupt Khan’s rhythm by jabbing and counter-punching but he would be best served staying right in Khan’s chest and taking the fight inside, where the Brit has shown far less comfort. If Khan focuses his attack on the body early then it could be a long night for Lamont. As mentioned he has shown some impressive power when going downstairs and by doing so he could flush Peterson’s plans for a late-round rally.
“I never go into a fight looking for a knockout but you never know. My power’s developing, I’m getting stronger as a fighter, I’m getting better as a fighter,“ Khan said. "So I really think if I do catch him with a good shot I’ll go for the finish. But I know I’m conditioned to the full distance, twelve rounds.”
Lamont has shown the ability to adjust during the fight and respond to his opponent’s attack. If he survives the early rounds in good shape he should do the same here. If Peterson is able to time Khan’s punches from the outside he should be able to land his own long jab and counter with hooks to the head and body. Getting a little rough on the inside wouldn’t be a terrible idea for the man from South DC either.
Peterson is an excellent boxer in his own right and he has the type of style that can give Khan problems. If he fights the perfect fight and Khan is off his game then anything is possible, including a massive upset that would firmly put Washington back on the boxing map. A close fight that goes to the cards like Ortiz-Peterson could also favor the home fighter and enable him to squeak out with the decision. But the bet here is that Khan is too fast, too busy and above all too focused in a fight that goes the distance.
Khan is unlikely to attempt anything sensational but after twelve rounds of action from the outside he should win a comfortable decision with Lamont stealing three or four rounds at most. A stoppage by Khan in the last three rounds is not out of the question if Lamont insists on dropping his hands as he sometimes does and his head movement isn’t sufficient to avoid the Brit’s pinpoint blows. Peterson can avoid that fate but it will take a spectacular effort. Either way, someone will leave Washington a star and the other will be left stewing like a lame duck after the election.