Barry Hunter may be the trainer of current IBF Light Welterweight champion Lamont Peterson, but the trainer had plenty of good things to say about challenger Edgar Santana. While many in the boxing community have labeled Santana as a long shot to win, Hunter had nothing bad to say about the Puerto Rican up-and-comer.
Could picking an unknown fighter come back to bite the Peterson camp? Many folks in boxing had never heard of Ruslan Provodnikov until his fight with Timothy Bradley. Provodnikov gave Bradley such a beating, the former WBO Welterweight Champion was slurring his words for months. Santana, like Provodnikov, wants to deliver a message on Saturday night to the doubters. “I feel like they committed a big mistake,” commented Santana. “I am going to be ready to lay it all on the line that day. I am going to be there to fight, no doubt about that.”
Is this an upset in the making? What does Barry Hunter expect to see come Saturday? “I am expecting fireworks,” opined Hunter. “Edgar is at home. He is a dog type of fighter and nobody likes to lose at home. By no means are we coming in here thinking that we are going to walk over this man. He’s got a lot to fight for.”
The rumor mill has been plentiful in boxing and a rumor about a potential Garcia-Peterson fight in the making for next year is catching the eyes of some, but can it prove to be distracting while preparing for another bout? Barry Hunter does not think so. “I do not think so,” added Hunter. “I always tell my kids to treat everyone as if they were a champion.”
Danny Garcia tends to struggle against boxers who can box, use angles, and move around the ring efficiently. It was evident against Mauricio Herrera, a bout Garcia won by disputed majority decision. Ruslan Provodnikov also had his troubles against Herrera, suffering his first professional loss, however, a majority of analysts thought Provodnikov had won that bout. Can Peterson outbox Garcia? Hunter believes Peterson has the edge in at least one category. “Overall, I think Lamont may have an edge in boxing,” said Hunter. “Danny can box too. I am just looking forward to the day that these two get together. I think it would be a great fight for boxing all the way around.”
As Nestor Gibbs brought up with Danny Garcia, is it possible that Lamont Peterson can beat Danny Garcia? For example, Garcia knocked out Matthysse and Peterson was knocked out by Matthysse. Does this mean Garcia would easily demolish Peterson? Hunter does not agree at all. “Styles make fights,” said Hunter. “Lamont stopped Kendall Holt. That is someone Danny struggled with.” Could this fight happen? It all depends who comes out on top on Saturday night.
