- The Washington Times - Thursday, October 15, 2015

ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Let’s face it: Lamont Peterson has already won.

The hometown fighter, facing off Saturday afternoon against undefeated Felix Diaz Jr., at EagleBank Arena at George Mason, wins every time he steps in the ring. He wins every day he adds another chapter to his story of personal triumph.

The story is well known. He and his brother Anthony, a lightweight contender who will also be on the card on Saturday, were both homeless on the streets of Washington by age 10. The story goes they were abandoned by a mother who was overwhelmed and a father who was in prison.

Barry Hunter, a local boxing coach, saw something special in these two young boys — fighting to live on the streets of Washington — and took them in, serving as both their trainer and surrogate father. He remains the guiding force in the Petersons’ lives today, and will be in their corners Saturday night, when Lamont fights before the hometown fans for the first time since his unanimous decision win over Dierry Jean at the D.C. Armory in January 2014.

Peterson recognizes the impact he can have in his hometown, where his story has become the stuff of local legend.

“It’s times like this when you’re with kids that you really see how important it is to be around positive role models,” he said. “How you can make a difference by just being there. It is always important for me to give back, and fighting in my hometown lets me do that.

“When I’m on the road, you have to move around a lot and work out in a hotel gym, but the benefit of being at home is that I get to sleep in my own bed, work out at my own gym, and it’s 100 times better for me,” Peterson said. “At the end of the day, I love to fight in front of my hometown fans.”

He is revered in Washington fight gyms. Veteran local fighter Jimmy Lange, who will also fight on the card, spoke of the honor of fighting on a card headlined by Peterson.

“I am absolutely honored to be on this card, because Lamont is a real champion in and out of the ring,” Lange said.

The inspirational story is a winner. Everybody loves Peterson.

What Peterson would like to do is win in the ring again. The former 140-pound world champion has lost two of his last four fights, including the last time he was seen in a Premiere Boxing Champions show in April — a majority-decision loss to highly touted Danny Garcia, which many observers found controversial (myself not included; I thought he started way too late to dominate the fight). The card will be televised on NBC starting at 4 p.m.

Peterson (33-3-1, 17 knockouts) believes he is better than the opponents he has lost to.

“I would like to avenge some defeats that I’ve had,” he said. “I’m better than anyone I’ve ever lost to. I’d like to have the opportunity to go out and prove that I’m better than the people I lost to.”

His most memorable fight took place in Washington nearly four years ago. He scored a controversial upset split decision over Amir Khan at the Washington Convention Center to become the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation 140-pound world champion.

His career seemed ready to take off, but since then, there has been a failed drug test and the two defeats. But, at the age of 31, Peterson is still considered one of the most entertaining and talented fighters in his weight class, and still has hopes to getting back into the main spotlight.

First things first: Diaz (17-0, 8 knockouts) is in his way.

“He’s undefeated, but I really think when we get in the thick of this, experience is going to take over and I don’t think he is going to have enough to finish,” Peterson said.

An impressive and dramatic win would remind everyone that Peterson is more than just a championship story.

“Fans know and the boxing world knows I’m still here and I’m still learning and always getting better,” he said.

• Thom Loverro is co-host of “The Sports Fix,” noon to 2 p.m. daily on ESPN 980 and espn980.com.

• Thom Loverro can be reached at tloverro@washingtontimes.com.

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