Amir Khan (left) lost his WBA and IBF title belts to District native Lamont Peterson (right) on Saturday night at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Photograph by Tom Hogan of Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions
Amir Khan’s promoters thought the idea of their super lightweight world champion defending his titles against Lamont Peterson in Washington would be gangster. Now he’s heading back to England without his belts, and Team Khan is crying foul over the local commission.
But honestly, what did they expect?
What is boxing without controversy?
Moreover, what is DC without questionable actions by appointees?
Regardless of whether you agree with Saturday night’s decision, one fact is undeniable: In addition to being a wildly entertaining main event, that was a really close fight.
Peterson took the WBA and IBF titles on a narrow split decision, thanks to two point deductions assessed against Khan, including one in the fight’s final round. But focusing on the controversies alone does not do justice to the event itself. Up until the scorecards were delivered, the story of the night was Lamont.
The homeless boy who dreamed of the night he’d claim a world title gave more than Khan appeared ready to handle. After withstanding a knockdown during a shaky first round, Peterson took the fight to the champion. More specifically, he took the fight the champ’s body. Khan seemed unwilling or unable to deal with Peterson’s pressure, which often led to clutching and pushing. Regardless of the ineffectual refereeing, Peterson put on a valiant display in a fight that goes down as one of the year’s finest.
This is what we’ve been missing in the 20 years without world championship boxing in DC. Lamont Peterson has established himself as legitimate star on the local sports landscape, in part because more than 8,600 people were there to experience the most exciting sporting event to hit DC since the Wizards beat the Cavs in the “Soulja Boy” game during the ’08 playoffs.
Big-time boxing came back to DC, and the city responded. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center might look more like a hangar at Andrews Air Force Base than the MGM Grand Garden Arena, but it was filled with the kind of energy you’d expect at a title fight.
Khan and Peterson are surely headed for a rematch—one that HBO’s Larry Merchant predicted as early as the fourth round. The only question is where. If it were up to the boisterous members of Khan’s Army who attended the post-fight press conference, they’d be squaring off a few months from now at the Manchester Arena.
However, it’s Peterson who now holds the belts—and with them, the power to negotiate. Las Vegas is probably the most likely landing point, but why not come back to Washington? Hold the fight at a major arena like Verizon Center, agree in advance on an out-of-town referee, and watch the District take another step towards becoming a legitimate fight town. The fans want it; now we just need the local commission to stay out of their own way.
Peterson Stuns Khan in Title Fight
Championship boxing returns to DC with one of the year’s best fights. When’s the rematch?
Amir Khan (left) lost his WBA and IBF title belts to District native Lamont Peterson (right) on Saturday night at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Photograph by Tom Hogan of Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions
Amir Khan’s promoters thought the idea of their super lightweight world champion defending his titles against Lamont Peterson in Washington would be gangster. Now he’s heading back to England without his belts, and Team Khan is crying foul over the local commission.
But honestly, what did they expect?
What is boxing without controversy?
Moreover, what is DC without questionable actions by appointees?
Regardless of whether you agree with Saturday night’s decision, one fact is undeniable: In addition to being a wildly entertaining main event, that was a really close fight.
Peterson took the WBA and IBF titles on a narrow split decision, thanks to two point deductions assessed against Khan, including one in the fight’s final round. But focusing on the controversies alone does not do justice to the event itself. Up until the scorecards were delivered, the story of the night was Lamont.
The homeless boy who dreamed of the night he’d claim a world title gave more than Khan appeared ready to handle. After withstanding a knockdown during a shaky first round, Peterson took the fight to the champion. More specifically, he took the fight the champ’s body. Khan seemed unwilling or unable to deal with Peterson’s pressure, which often led to clutching and pushing. Regardless of the ineffectual refereeing, Peterson put on a valiant display in a fight that goes down as one of the year’s finest.
This is what we’ve been missing in the 20 years without world championship boxing in DC. Lamont Peterson has established himself as legitimate star on the local sports landscape, in part because more than 8,600 people were there to experience the most exciting sporting event to hit DC since the Wizards beat the Cavs in the “Soulja Boy” game during the ’08 playoffs.
Big-time boxing came back to DC, and the city responded. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center might look more like a hangar at Andrews Air Force Base than the MGM Grand Garden Arena, but it was filled with the kind of energy you’d expect at a title fight.
Khan and Peterson are surely headed for a rematch—one that HBO’s Larry Merchant predicted as early as the fourth round. The only question is where. If it were up to the boisterous members of Khan’s Army who attended the post-fight press conference, they’d be squaring off a few months from now at the Manchester Arena.
However, it’s Peterson who now holds the belts—and with them, the power to negotiate. Las Vegas is probably the most likely landing point, but why not come back to Washington? Hold the fight at a major arena like Verizon Center, agree in advance on an out-of-town referee, and watch the District take another step towards becoming a legitimate fight town. The fans want it; now we just need the local commission to stay out of their own way.
Most Popular in News & Politics
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Introducing 8 of DC’s Most Stylish
Best of Washington 2023: Things to Eat, Drink, Do, and Know Right Now
Washingtonian Magazine
May 2024: Great Getaways
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
13 Major Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Spring
Mary Timony on Her Emotional New Album, “Untame the Tiger”
The Beatles in DC: A New Exhibit in Maryland Looks Back on Early Beatlemania
Northern Virginia High School Wins Metallica’s Marching Band Competition
More from News & Politics
Rockville Police Are Searching for Culprits of a $4,500 Pickleball Paddle Heist
Dozens of Vintage Planes Will Fly Over the National Mall This Saturday
PHOTOS: “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Queens Work It at the National Mall
Meet the NIH Detectives Cracking Medicine’s Toughest Cases
5 of DC’s Most Interesting Ideas for Revitalizing Chinatown
A “Corpse Flower” Is Currently in Bloom at the Botanic Garden
How Emma’s Torch Is Changing the Lives of Its Refugee Workers
Former Fiola GM Convicted of Murder Is Now in a Netflix Docuseries