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
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
Bans on Underage Vaping, Swastika Graffiti, Synthetic Dyes: New Virginia Laws Go Into Effect in July
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
Your Story About How Pickleball Changed Your Life Could Get You a Game on the National Mall
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
More from News & Politics
The “World’s Largest Outdoor Museum” Is Coming to DC. Here’s a Preview.
A Cult Classic of Cannabis Brands Is Making Its DC Debut
The Commanders Wine and Dine DC Council Members; GOP Senator Suggests Tax Language Was “Airdropped” Into Spending Bill; and Trump Wants DOGE to Investigate Musk
100 Reasons to Love DC Right Now
How DC’s Attorney General Got So Good at Double Dutch
DC Council Ponders New Way to Expel Trayon White, the GOP’s Budget Bill Advances, and We Found You Some Tacos With Ethiopian Flair
For DNC Chair Ken Martin, the Big Beautiful Bill Is Personal
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.