Saturday night launches the 2018 boxing season with a world title fight when Errol Spence, Jr. (22-0; 19 KO) defends his IBF Welterweight (147 lbs.) title against Lamont Peterson (35-3-1; 17 KO). Ring Magazine ranks Spence at #2 in the division and #8 pound for pound, with Peterson at #6 in Welterweight. The fight will air live on Showtime this Saturday, January 20 with a fight time of 9:00 p.m. ET.
How do these two stack up?
Spence: 27 years old | 5’9” | 72″ reach | southpaw stance
Peterson: 33 years old | 5’9″ | 72″ reach | orthodox stance
What have these two done recently?
Spence: W – Kell Brook (KO) | W – Leonard Bundu (KO) | W – Chris Algieri (TKO)
Peterson: W – David Avanesyan (UD) | W – Felix Diaz (MD) | L – Danny Garcia (MD)
How did these two get here?
Errol Spence has been highly regarded as a future world champion ever since his Olympic run in 2012. He steadily rose up the ranks against increasingly tough opposition, with his biggest win coming in his May fight with Kell Brook. That fight gave him the world title many saw as his destiny. It was an impressive win, stopping the tough Brook, and showing that he could go into a deeper fight and win (prior to that 11th round stoppage over Brook, Spence had never been past round 10, and had only been past round 6 three times). He’s now on the pound for pound list, and a showdown with Keith Thurman seems both inevitable, and awesome to consider.
Lamont Peterson is the consistent “almost there” of the division. He has a 2011 win over Khan, though it’s not without controversy, and he’s been start and stop since then. Peterson has shown that he beats mid-level opposition consistently, but when faced with the top (Lucas Matthysse, Danny Garcia), he falters. He’s also struggled to find consistency in his schedule, as this is only his 2nd fight since October 2015. Also, that beard.
What can fans expect?
Peterson is an interesting challenger. Whether it’s because of the Khan win, or his overall solid level in the ring, or the fact that he almost always makes his fights close, he always feels like a credible challenge to any opponent. At the same time, he’s not going to win this. He’ll make it look good, and he’s not a can, but he’s a step below Spence, plain and simple. It’s weird to both think of him as a credible challenger AND a +1100 underdog, but, well, that does indeed sum it up well.
Prediction: Errol Spence, KO R8
Who should watch?
It’s a busy night of fights already with Bellator and UFC. DVR this one and check it out later to get more exposure to one of boxing’s best in the world today.