Opening Bell: Lamont Peterson Keeps IBF Belt
by Gautham Nagesh
Local junior welterweight Lamont Peterson is smiling once again after the IBF announced Friday that he will be allowed to keep the 140-lb belt he won from Amir Khan in December, despite a failed drug test.
The IBF’s decision is vindication for Peterson, who saw his WBA belt returned to Khan last month before the Brit lost a unification bout to Danny Garcia. Peterson’s future has been under a cloud since the failed test cancelled his May rematch with Khan and cast doubt upon his career-defining win. Lamont has already admitted to having a physician inject a testosterone pellet into his hip before that fight. After reviewing Peterson’s medical records and consulting with an independent physician, the IBF concluded that Peterson used the testosterone for therapeutic purposes that wouldn’t have enhanced his training before the Khan fight. [[MORE]]
As a result, Peterson remains a key player at 140 lbs. and will attempt to re-gain his Nevada boxing license as soon as the Aug. 24 Nevada Athletic Commission meeting. Technically the NAC could still deny Peterson’s application for a license, but one would think his hometown boxing commission may view his application a bit more favorably. I’m not precisely sure how the whole reciprocity thing works in this instance, but if there’s a way to let Peterson fight, count on D.C. officials making it happen.
In addition, the IBF also ordered Peterson to make a mandatory defense against Zab Judah, who rolled in a recent eliminator against Vernon Paris of Detroit. Peterson indicated he plans to move forward with the Judah fight, though he is also eying the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez, Danny Garcia and Tim Bradley for future fights. Lamont was in the gym and working hard when I last stopped by Headbangers a couple weeks ago; he was also anticipating exactly the verdict he got from the IBF. We look forward to seeing what he does with his second chance.
October Looking Good For HBO: First the premium cable network announced Maryland heavyweight Seth Mitchell would co-headline a card in Atlantic City with lightweight sensation Adrien Broner on October 6th. Now HBO has finalized the details on what should be one of the year’s most explosive double features: Nonito Donaire will battle top-ranked Toshiaki Nishioka for supremacy at 130 lbs., and Stiff Jab favorite Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios will finally move up to 140 and take on the unbeaten Mike Alvarado of Denver. I’ve never seen Nishioka fight, but he comes with strong credentials and should give Donaire his biggest test to date. The other three fighters are known quantities and all capable of producing highlight-reel knockouts. This Top Rank card is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated shows of the fall already. Tickets go on sale at AXS.com on Thursday at 10 a.m.
Juan Diaz Grabs Mic on ShoBox: Former lightweight titlist Juan Diaz will join Steve Farhood and Barry Tompkins as guest announcer on the Friday, August 24th edition of ShoBox: The New Generation. Diaz retired in 2010 and currently hosts a weekly radio program on ESPN Deportes. Farhood and Tompkins are the best announcing team boxing has to offer in my book, so I’m betting Diaz will be a welcome and erudite addition. The show will feature bantamweight prospect Randy Caballero against Manuel Roman in Indio, Calif. The co-feature matches once-beaten lightweights Michael Perez of Newark and Fidel Maldonado Jr. of Albuquerque.
R.I.P. Michael Dokes: Akron, Ohio heavyweight titlist Michael “Dynamite” Dokes died of liver cancer on Saturday at the age of 54. Dokes won the WBA heavyweight title by knocking out Mike Weaver in the first round in December 1982, only to relinquish the belt 10 months later after losing to Gerrie Coetzee. Dokes staged several comebacks and his 1989 war with Evander Holyfield was considered one of the finest heavyweight fights of the decade (Dokes lost by TKO). His career was beset by trouble with drugs and the law, but Dokes also boasted wins over the likes of Jimmy Young and Randall “Tex” Cobb during his climb to the top. His funeral will be on noon in Akron, where he will be buried following the service.