A-list boxing promoter, Gary Shaw bidded to promote the upcoming International Boxing Federation Junior Welterweight championship fight between, Champion Lamont Peterson and challenger, Kendall Holt. The fight will take place on Friday, February 22 in Peterson’s home town of Washington, DC, at the DC Armory. The fight will be shown on ESPN2 at 9 pm and is co-promoted with Head Bangers Promotions. Peterson has a 31-1-1 record and the challenger Holt brings a record of 28-5 into Friday’s bout.
Shaw, who is under the weather and may not be able to attend the fight, is clear he chose the right city for this bout. “We have two African American fighters going at it and there is no better fight town than Washington, DC. When there is a home town fighter, fighting in DC, they know the sport of boxing and they are as good a crowd as there is in this country,” explains Shaw. “DC has long been a great city for boxing. The legacy of DC fighters speaks for itself, but the fans have been long over looked by the boxing establishment. I would put those fans up against any fans in the US and they show well on TV.”
Shaw promotes challenger Holt who has no problem coming into Peterson’s home town. “I have been to Columbia, South America and it gets no more hostile than that, so fighting in DC is no problem for me”, says Holt. Holt and Peterson are friends. They have been in camp together but have never sparred. Holt, 31, says, “I have rooted for Lamont and his brother Anthony whenever they fight. This will be the only time, I am hoping for a Peterson loss.”
Peterson who likes to bring the action to his opponents is no mystery to Holt. “I expect a long fight…12 rounds. I know Lamont will be digging at my body, but I am a reaction fighter. I look at what my opponent is doing and I react. I am in great shape. I trained in Burbank, California for 2 months with my trainer Jesse Reed. That is the first time I have had the luxury to go away from home and train. I am as ready for a fight as I have been in my career. This fight could change my life.”
Peterson has been out of the ring for 14 months and insists that he will, “show no rust, what so ever. It’s not like I was hurt. I have been training all along, just waiting for my next fight and I will be ready to go on Friday night. Please subscribe and read other stories I have written.
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