Boxing News 24/7Denzil Stone – Atlantic City
Amir Khan‘s ability to stand up to Marcos Maidana’s biggest shots during their fight of the year tussle in 2010 proves that he “might have the best chin in boxing,” according to his promoter Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. The combination puncher from Bolton, England, defends his WBA and IBF super lightweight world titles against defensively-skilled boxer Lamont Peterson on Saturday, December 10.
Schaefer addresses media. Credit: Stacey Verbeek - Maple Avenue Boxing Gym, Dallas
“This is the perfect city for this fight,” Schaefer said of Washington DC to the media at a press conference to aid the promotion of the Capital Showdown event. “We are happy and very excited to bring such a significant world championship bout to the District,” he added, before pleading to locals “to come out in big numbers and support this great fight card so we don’t have to wait another 18 years for HBO to come back here for another boxing match.”
Peterson (29-1-1, 15ko) has challenged for a portion of the super lightweight championship before as he attempted to be the first man to defeat Timothy Bradley in Bradley’s home state of California in 2009. As the fight transpired, Peterson emerged second best in virtually every round and lost a unanimous decision to his fellow American, however, Schaefer has indicated that Peterson’s home advantage at the Walter E Washington Convention Center against Khan (26-1-0, 18ko) will further spur him on.
“Let there be no doubt that Lamont Peterson is going in there to dethrone the champion,” noted Schaefer. “He is going to have hometown advantage. Lamont will have the opportunity to make all of his dreams come true with a win over Khan.”
Golden Boy have long acted as Khan’s US-based representative and, regarding their crossover star, Schaefer said: “We are very proud to have Amir Khan as part of our promotional stable.
“Watch and see,” he said, before predicting the ultimate success for the Briton: “This young man will become, pound for pound, the best fighter in the world… no question about it. He has the skills, tremendous power in his punch. He has the heart of a lion, and in the Maidana fight he showed that he might have the best chin in the sport of boxing.
“He really is an all-round athlete and a first-class human being.”
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