Although Peterson lost to Sergey Lipinets, he leaves behind a legacy of honor and respect.
This weekend, Lamont Peterson fought his last fight, fittingly in front of his hometown Washington, D.C. crowd. The former two-division champion was stopped in the tenth round after putting up a valiant effort against Sergey Lipinets.
The welterweight bout was Peterson’s attempt to rebound from a devastating loss to Errol Spence in January 2018. After the fight, Peterson, along with his lifelong trainer and fellow Washington, D.C.-native Barry Hunter, announced his retirement from boxing in front of his hometown fans after a career that saw him win titles at 140 and 147-pounds.
“It’s been a long career but today is the day,” said Peterson. “I’m thankful for the support. I love everyone here and I’m always going to support this area, but I’m sure it’s time for me to hang it up. I couldn’t go out in a better way here at home. This will be the last time you see me in the ring.”
A Legacy To Remember
From park benches to local Greyhound buses, the Peterson brothers had to fend for themselves in the District cold. However, when the brothers met Barry Hunter, their lives changed for the better. Hunter turned the boxing gym into a safe haven and became the Petersons’ surrogate father.
Under Barry’s watchful eye, Lamont went 26-0 before knocking out Willy Blain in 2009 to win the vacant WBO interim light welterweight title. He would lose the title in his next fight against Timothy Bradley but become a champion again two years later against Amir Khan.
Peterson won the WBA (Super) and IBF light-welterweight titles with a split decision victory in his hometown. He would become a two-division world champion with a unanimous decision win over David Avanesyan in 2017. Fighting in the tough-as-nails welterweight division, Peterson proved he was more than good enough, he was a true champion.
After putting the Headbangers Gym and Washington, D.C. back on the map, Lamont Peterson is ready to rest. He inspired his younger brother Anthony to go pro, became a training partner to Adrien Broner, Shawn Porter, Austin Trout and more.
The Washington, D.C. sweet science was embodied in the career of “Sugar” Ray Leonard. Since those storied days are over, Lamont Peterson was the most well-known boxer the D.C. area had since Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson and Shamba Mitchell.
Peterson has now entered the annals of D.C. boxing folklore. His legacy will live forever in the fighting hearts of those from the Chocolate City and in the have nots seeking a story to cling to for hope.
