Lamont Peterson vs Dierry Jean Weigh-In
Photos by Tom Casino for Showtime
WASHINGTON, D.C.–How do you annoy the fecal matter out of Lamont Peterson (left)?
Ask him (for the umpteenth time) if he has recovered from getting knocked out by Lucas Matthysse.
Seriously, don’t do it. Yesterday, when I innocently (Hey! It wasn’t *my* idea…my editor demanded it!) asked him that question, he rolled his eyes sadly before murmuring, “Not again.” He’s sick of telling people that he’s moved past that fight, as he informed Brian Custer of Showtime at today’s weigh-in at the Renaissance Hotel downtown.
“Ain’t nobody worried about that, man. I’m ready to fight tomorrow, man, that’s all we worried about…I’m ready to fight right now, really. So at this point, who cares about what they say? I'mma show you tomorrow what I’m about,” Peterson promised.
Before Peterson stepped up to the mic, his opponent Dierry Jean (below) said he dreamed of taking home a belt. Lamont’s response?
“Key word: dream. We’re all entitled to a dream so he gonna have to show me tomorrow.”
Speaking of Dierry Jean, he stripped down to Diesel knickers while I was distracted by the realization that D.C.’s underwear game is wack.
Peterson predictably drew the loudest applause from this hometown crowd, which seemed split between press and entourage, with some well-wishers thrown in. The inhabitants of Ballroom B were serenaded by a DJ throughout the event, even as some of us strained to hear the comments on stage over his thrumming beats.
That of course did not matter. The only thing that matters to the DJ at boxing events is ensuring his playlist includes Kanye West’s “Clique”.
It was Lamont Peterson’s 30th birthday and he was presented with a delicious-looking cake…that he could not eat, as a few people pointed out. It’s the thought that counts though, and it was nice to see him blow out candles on stage.
Peterson and Jean both made weight for the welterweight bout, coming in at 139.5 and 139 lbs. respectively. Peterson’s IBF title will be at stake in the main event. We’re picking Peterson to win a close decision.
The co-feature on Showtime will match unbeaten Houston junior middleweight Jermell Charlo against Philly contender Gabriel Rosado for a scheduled ten rounds. It is a classic crossroads fight, with the winner in position to challenge the top fighters at 154 lbs.
Rosado’s entourage entered the weigh-in wearing “Operation Chop Down Charlo” T-shirts. Charlo’s response during the post-weight interview? “Retire Rosado.” Alliteration wins! Charlo weighed in at 153 lbs., while Rosado was right on the 154 lb. limit.
Everyone else on the card made weight, except for D.C.veteran lightweight Daniel “The Prophet” Attah, who came in at 135.6 his first time on the scales. Attah apparently made weight later on, according to the bout sheet from Golden Boy. The deep card will feature several of Golden Boy/Al Haymon’s best prospects, including former Olympians Rau’Shee Warren (below left)and Jamel Herring, plus Temple Hills, Md. super middleweight D’Mitrius Ballard.
The only commotion of the weigh-in came when middleweights Dominic Wade and Dashon Johnson (below) faced off. Talk turned to action as one abruptly shoved the other right into one of the lovely Corona ladies (bottom), who promptly stumbled on her platform heels. This inspired almost every journalist around me to mutter, “Wait, who did that?”, since it all transpired so quickly, almost none of us saw it.
When asked about the incident, one of the publicists said it was Wade, a top prospect at Headbangers, doing the shoving. Then she suggested checking Twitter for the definitive answer, which seemed like a brilliant idea at the time, but this reporter must sadly report that she couldn’t find any mention of the most exciting moment that went down at today’s weigh-in.
Oh well. There will be plenty of violence tomorrow starting at the early hour of 4pm. You want a fight? There are going to be ten of them at the D.C. Armory. Enjoy.
