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Lamont Peterson vs. Amir
Khan II Set For May 19
For 12 rounds last December, Lamont "Havoc" Peterson and
Amir "King" Khan battled it out in one of the most
compelling championship bouts of 2011. When it was over,
controversy raged over the officiating and the final judges'
verdict, but in the end Peterson won a split decision
capturing Khan's world championship belts. On Saturday, May
19, the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. will
host the highly anticipated Unified Super Lightweight World
Title rematch the boxing world has clamored for as Lamont
Peterson will defend his WBA World Super Championship and
IBF World Championship against Khan in a fight televised
live on HBO's World Championship Boxing.
Their first fight was a pitched and close battle waged in
Peterson's hometown of Washington, DC that was considered by
most boxing experts to be a "Fight of the Year" candidate.
It was a classic battle of contrasting styles with Peterson
brawling and banging while Khan used his lightning quick
speed and boxing ability. The deduction of two points from
Khan by the referee for a seldom-called foul (pushing)
proved to be the difference in the outcome of the close
fight, leading to questions being raised as to who actually
deserved to win the decision. Khan immediately filed
multiple protests following the fight, much to the ire of
Peterson who felt Khan's actions tainted his victory and
were an act of disrespect. On May 19, the fighters will have
the opportunity to settle the score on neutral ground in Las
Vegas.
"I feel really good about my decision," said Peterson
(30-1-1, 15 KO's). "I went over every option available to me
in terms of the fights that were on the table. I weighed
each one of them looking at the pros and the cons and at the
end of the day this is the one that made the most sense all
the way across the board. I want everyone to know that, as
champion, it has always been up to me what fight to take
next. I was not persuaded by any of the controversy or
anything else. I just can't wait to fight. I told Khan after
the press conference when I won that if it was up to me I
would fight him on Sunday, but I had to get with my team to
look at every option that was out there. I just want to be
clear that I never said I wouldn't fight him, but I wanted
to take a look at everything that was out there before I
made a decision. I'm happy with the terms of the fight. It's
at a neutral site and, when I beat him this time, he won't
have anything to complain about."
"I'm delighted that I have finally been given the chance to
avenge the result of my last fight," said Khan (26-2, 18
KO's). "It's clear I wasn't happy with what went on in the
previous fight, but that takes nothing away from how Lamont
Peterson fought. He showed tremendous heart that night, but
now I have the chance to prove once and for all that I'm the
very best in the division. I'm going to take care of
business inside the ring and this fight is going to be just
as exciting as the last one. The only difference is going to
be in the outcome."
"I said before their first fight that this was an
opportunity to see the two best super lightweights in the
world compete at the highest level of the sport and neither
Amir Khan or Lamont Peterson disappointed the fans," said
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "To see them
fight again so soon after their first match on neutral
ground in Las Vegas is a treat for boxing fans around the
world."
"We are pleased with the decision to fight Khan for the
second time," said Barry Hunter, manager and trainer of
Lamont Peterson. "I was extremely proud of Lamont with
respect to this process. He took his time and looked at all
of his options and he decided this was the best option
available. Our preparation for this fight will be the same,
it is going to be a hard fight and we will be ready for the
challenge."
Peterson vs. Khan II, a 12-round Unified Super Lightweight
World Title Fight for Peterson's WBA World Super
Championship and IBF World Championship taking place
Saturday, May 19 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las
Vegas, Nev. is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in
association with Khan Promotions and Headbangers Promotions.
The fight will be telecast live on HBO's World Championship
Boxing.
More information on Peterson vs. Khan II, including ticket
prices and press conference dates, will be announced
shortly.
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