BoxRec

So Amir Khan defends his WBA cough *super* cough & IBF Light Welterweight titles against Lamont Peterson in December 2011.

First off I would like to commend Amir for staying active and fighting three times this year. I have said (on here) before that it can be done, and should fighters want to stay active they can fight 3-4 times a ear at the top level.

So commendations to Khan.


And his next opponent will be Peterson. Initally I was surprised that he decided to give Peterson a shot for the unified titles, but there is no doubting that Peterson is a top contender in the division these days.

But what does Khan get out of this fight? Well for me, a victory here would cemment his position as being at the top of the tree in this division.
But, could he have chosen a better opponent? I would say: YES.

The only top-notch fighter in the division who Khan has not beat yet (apart from Bradley who won't fight him) is Devon Alexander.

Rumours have been rife for a while now that Khan is considering moving up in weight, but before he does I think he should beat Alexander. Thjoguh Devon lost his title (and unbeaten record) against Bradley, he's still considered in the elite of theis division.

So Khan fighting Peterson, a good fight? Yes/ But not a great fight... And maybe after Khan disposes of Peterson (a late stoppage I'm saying) he could target and beat Alexander in the US.

Then maybe the move up? (It doesn't take a genius to work out that he has his eyes on Mayweather).

I think Khan has rebuilt fantastically since Prescott but at the end of the day he cant put all the problems he had with being able to hold a shot down to weight. I think his defence is terrific,the way he switches body/head while on the attack is truly world class and his fighting heart is unquestioned...BUT he simply cant take a good shot. If Khan faces Mayweather at 147 in the next 18 month the money will do a better number on him than he did Hatton.Amirs only chance is if Floyds Skills/talent desert him with age(Roy Jones), otherwise it will be a short, painful night for AK.As for Lamont i think the same as any Khans opponents chances, if they cacth him he'll go.

Massive respect for Khan. I hope more people will get behind him on here.

Dangerous fight, so much to lose for Khan. the American is a dangerous boxer , he has been found wanting at the very top level, but not without having sucess in those losing fights. Khan will win though, and might get a late stoppage

I can see him really struggling with Petersen. Petersen is awkward and hard to pin down, his defence is good and he is very elusive. Over the 12 rounds though Khan's workrate will win it for him, early though I can't see him landing much and maybe getting a touch frustrated giving Petersen some success but khan's long jab should begin to land before getting off with sharp combinations, body shots might be effective against him. I don't think he'll be as successful as Bradley was against him but he should get a hard fought decision or possibly stop him late as he does look a touch vulnerable when hit clean

easy win for ak

What I like about this fight is that there's more substance than style about the matchmaking. Peterson isn't a big name, but he's a majar player at 140. It would have been far easier, and softer, to get the name recognition of Morales, but they've gone for the most substantial fight available for Khan's standing in the 140 pound division.

Well done.

As for three fights in a year being active, it just shows how bad things have become. Four should be the standard. Sugar Ray Robinson used to fight about seven hundred title fights over one weekend, back in the day. A long layoff after the bruising Maidana encounter was perfectly reasonable, but neither McCloskey nor Judah were taxing or lengthy matches, so there's not reason why he couldn't have done more. And at his age, and career position, where he's still (in theory) improving under Roach, more fights would be better for him.

Old bones Ian wrote:Dangerous fight, so much to lose for Khan. the American is a dangerous boxer

alexpaterson wrote:I can see him really struggling with Petersen. Petersen is awkward and hard to pin down, his defence is good and he is very elusive.

Peterson is well known to be a skilled boxer. But Amir is a notch above him in that department, and Khan's speed should really be too much for Peterson to handle.

All in all, I think the only thing Amir has to owrry about complacency, if the best Khan shows up, he'll blow this kid out of the water.

Carbo wrote:What I like about this fight is that there's more substance than style about the matchmaking. Peterson isn't a big name, but he's a majar player at 140. It would have been far easier, and softer, to get the name recognition of Morales, but they've gone for the most substantial fight available for Khan's standing in the 140 pound division.

I wouldn't say it is "the most susbstantial fight available" my friend. I would say that is Devon Alexander, who will (no doubt) when a version of the Light Welterweight title again, he's too good a boxer not to.

Alexander is a better fighter than Peterson, and Khan has not matched himself against Devon yet, hopefully that fight will happen in the future.

Carbo wrote:As for three fights in a year being active, it just shows how bad things have become. Four should be the standard.
neither McCloskey nor Judah were taxing or lengthy matches, so there's not reason why he couldn't have done more. And at his age, and career position, where he's still (in theory) improving under Roach, more fights would be better for him.

I gareee with this. For a long time now I jhave been an advocate of title bodies making their champion fight two mandatories a year.
Too many boxers win a world title, then sit on it and start being lazy and defend it only once a year.

I think it's a very solid match-up. Peterson is a good fighter, well rounded but nothing special. Khan is better then him in every department apart from toughness.

Khan TKO 11.

A solid matchup if unspectacular, though i myself think its a good move by AK.

Peterson showed us prior to the Berto scrap that Ortiz was in the brown stuff against Floyd, and he will expose a hell of a lot of Khans weaknesses over 12 rounds here. f Amir breezes it like many say then he's probably closer to fighting Mayweather than i give him credit for.


(I am in no way suggesting Peterson is as good as Floyd, but is he is a kind of Floyd lt and a decent yard stick)

Old bones Ian wrote:Dangerous fight, so much to lose for Khan. the American is a dangerous boxer , he has been found wanting at the very top level, but not without having sucess in those losing fights. Khan will win though, and might get a late stoppage

x2 VERY dangrous fight, no walkover thats for sure Ian.