Ron Harris – Special to The Sentinel – March 26, 2019

Oxon Hill, Md. – Lamont Peterson took the mic from long time trainer and father figure, Barry Hunter and told the large crowd at the MGM Hotel and Casino, “It’s been a long career but today is the day. I love everyone here and I will always support this area. I am glad I finished my career at home,” said Peterson. “This will be the last time you see me in the ring. Thanks for everything.”
With that statement, Washington, DC native Lamont Peterson, closes out a brilliant boxing career with a 34-5-1 record with 17 KO’s and world championships in two weight divisions. It was a sad night for DC boxing fans.

He battled to the bitter end against Sergey Lipinets (15-1), until Barry Hunter threw a towel into the ring ending Peterson’s career in round 10 as Lipinets was in the midst of hurting Peterson. “It was back and forth, and we were hitting each other with some good shots,” said Peterson. “It just came out of no where at the end.”

Peterson was on the canvas and the towel shot in the air as if it was shot out of a gun ending an era of excellent work in the ring.

Lamont’s younger brother Anthony fought to a split draw against Algenis Mendez. The judges scored the fight 96-94 for Mendez, 96-94 for Peterson and 95-95, resulting in the split draw. Many at ringside had Peterson winning 7 out of the 10 rounds. Mendez hardly threw any punches in the early rounds. Anthony showed good movement, a good jab and landed hard combinations.

“There were times I didn’t engage cause of his countering,” said Anthony. “I took my time and used my jab and moved.” Sometimes judges don’t like fighters that move. They interpret it as running. “I can’t be that disappointed because I didn’t lose. I was happy to fight in front of my fans,” said Anthony. “I’ve been out of the ring for a long time and I think I did ok, but if the judges saw a draw, they saw a draw. I’m not mad about it.”

Anthony Peterson supports a 37-1-1 pro record. The powers that be in boxing have not seen fit to give Anthony a title shot after all these years. It is hard to understand how and why that has happened.
Other local fighters on the card had mixed results. Mark Duncan from Clarksburg lost a split decision. Kareem Martin, from Clinton, won a split decision. Alexandria, Va. native, Brandon Quarles dropped a split decision. Cobia Breedy from Barbados but fights out of Hyattsville, won a technical unanimous decision over Fernando Fuentes when ringside doctors ruled that Fuentes could not continue due to an accidental head butt. Baltimore native, Lorenzo Simpson,19, won his second pro fight over Jaime Meza who was making his pro debut.

It was officially announced that Accokeek native, Jarrett Hurd will defend his 3 super welterweight belts on May 11 at Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax, Va. The fight will be shown on Fox.