Peterson Brothers Speak! (1/4/08)
Continue on Quest for World Titles
By David L. Hudson Jr., Fightnews.com
Many boxing brothers have placed their stamp on boxing history
through the years. The names include Leon and Michael Spinks,
Mike and Tommy Gibbons, Max and Buddy Baer, Gabriel and Rafael
Ruelas, and Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. Two young men who
survived tough circumstances in Washington D.C. hope to place
their names at the top of this luminous list.
Lamont and Anthony Peterson have cleared every hurdle with ease
and aplomb in their professional careers. Lamont, who is 14 months
older, is an undefeated, ranked junior welterweight, while Anthony
has an unblemished mark at lightweight.
The two compiled impressive amateur credentials, earning their
place at the 2004 Olympic Trials. Though both lost disappointing
decisions – Lamont to Rock Allen and Anthony to Vicente
Escobedo – the two have not disappointed since turning
professional in late 2004.
On January 4th, the Peterson brothers face perhaps their toughest
professional challenges on a Shobox-televised card from Biloxi,
Mississippi. Lamont faces power-punching Antonio Mesquita from
Brazil, who sports a heavy right hand and an undefeated record
in his own right at 34-0. Anthony faces Jose Antonio Izquierdo
who comes in with a record of 16-1.
The Peterson brothers hope to continue the momentum they have
built upon their wave of early professional successes assisted
by the managerial expertise of Shelly Finkel and the promotional
punch of Mississippi-based Prize Fight Promotions.
The greatest assistance to the Peterson brothers has been their
trainer and mentor Barry Hunter, a leading handler of U.S.A.
amateur boxers who has worked with many great pugilists through
the years, including Riddick Bowe, William Joppy, Demarcus Corley,
Sharmba Mitchell and Tony Thompson.
Hunter recognized early on that the brothers possessed special
talents in the ring. Patrice Harris, Lamont’s brother-in-law
and former fighter for Hunter, brought 10-year-old Lamont to
the gym. “I knew there was something special about him,” Hunter
recalls. “He picked things up so easily.” Nine-year-old
Anthony followed his older brother to the gym and, once focused,
showed the same special skills as Lamont.
The young brothers’ story has been well documented, rising
above incredibly tough circumstances. Two of 12 siblings, the
Petersons often had to fend for themselves as their father was
absent serving time in prison. The two survived and then thrived
once they found Hunter’s gym. They acquired a discipline,
desire and determination that has carried them to the precipice
of professional greatness.
“
World championships are well within their reach,” Hunter
says. “Skill-wise they are right now some of the best boxers
in the world. Physically, I would put them up against virtually
anybody. It is the mental part of the game that we are still
working and developing.”
“
I want them to pick up and take the torch from some of the guys
in professional boxing that are retiring or leaving the game,” Hunter
says. “They have the ability to bring some of the luster
back to professional boxing. They are that good.”
Each brother took time to answer questions just a couple days
before their nationally televised bouts.
Anthony Peterson
What would it mean for you and your brother both to win world
titles?
