The first Showtime telecast this year is a doubleheader that tilts Lamont Peterson vs. Diery Jean in the main event from Washington DC, Peterson’s hometown. The last time we seen Peterson, he was on the canvas with referee Steve Smoger hugging him while calling a halt to his fight against Lucas Matthysse.
Although he suffered a loss, Peterson did not let that deter him as he was right back in the gym a week later. Peterson lost to Lucas Matthysse but did not lose his 140 lb IBF world title because of the catch weight stipulation of 141 lbs. For whatever the reason for the catch weight, one could think the fight with Matthysse might have lost its luster, and maybe Peterson didn’t get up for the fight. Peterson disagrees.
“It (catch weight) had nothing to do with my performance. It was a little let down that my title wasn’t on the line but at the end of the day it ended up working for the better. At the end of the day, it had nothing to do with my performance that night,” Peterson told ThaBoxingVoice.com
Now Peterson must honor his mandatory challenger a title shot. Diery Jean has been waiting for his shot since he stopped Mookie Pendarvis last May. Jean has shown power but Peterson doesn’t know how he will handle the world class level.
“He (Jean) definitely has some pop. He has been putting in good performances. He’s decent all the way around, nothing that stands out about him. He hasn’t fought on this level yet so it’s hard to judge him. It will be his first time on the big stage and let’s see what he’s got.” stated Peterson.
Peterson feels once he gets by Jean, that there are big fights still ahead of him, but he wants to avenge his loss to Lucas Matthysse. “I’ll do a rematch with him (Matthysse). In boxing one punch changes everything, so there wasn’t really much to learn or take from the fight, since it was so short,” explained Peterson. As far as changing anything because of the loss, Peterson stated,” I just got hit with one shot and it changed the fight. I’ll pretty much stick to the same game plan; I think the game plan would have worked but that one shot changed the fight. Of course, I’ll try to think more and execute a little better but I think the game plan we had in place was going to work.”
Peterson has shared the ring with fighters like Tim Bradley, Lucas Matthysse, Victor Ortiz, and Amir Khan. Jean might be an undefeated fighter but is relatively unknown. That won’t factor into the mind state of Peterson, because he has a lot on the line too.
“Think about the last fight, I feel like I have a lot to prove. I’m not considered to the best Jr. Welterweight out there and that’s my motivation. I can’t look past Diery. At the end of the day, it’s a competition and a punch could change the fight, I have to be prepared and ready for anything,” stated Peterson.
The 140 lb division was one of the most loaded divisions in boxing last year. With most fighters either moving up to 147 or contemplating a move to 147, Peterson might also have to make the jump to get the bigger fights. Peterson feels he can move back and forth and will do so for the right fight.
“It’s wherever the best opportunity is, that’s where I’ll fight. I could make 140. It’s not easy but I still can. If there’s an opportunity at 147 I’ll go there. I really don’t think about other people moving up. I’ll move up when its time. If I see them down the road, I’ll see them, if I don’t they’ll be other fights.”