Peterson Challenges Avanesyan For WBA Title
The former two-time Junior Welterweight titleholder Lamont Peterson (34-3-1, 17 KO's) will challenge WBA Welterweight champion David Avanesyan (22-1-1, 11 KO's) on February 18 at Cintas Center in Cincinnati.
Peterson: "I’m extremely excited about getting back in the ring and fighting on Showtime again. I’ve been working hard in the gym, and I’m ready to give my fans the kind of show they deserve."
"I know Avanesyan is coming in with a lot of confidence from that belt, but I believe I’m the better fighter and I’ll prove it on February 18."
Peterson has been inactive after his majority decision victory over Felix Diaz of the Dominican Republic on October 17, 2015. That victory followed Peterson’s majority decision loss to undefeated world champion Danny Garcia, who is scheduled to fight Keith Thurman on March 4.
Peterson has won six of eight fights, including victories over former world champions Amir Khan and Kendall Holt. His only career losses are against Timothy Bradley (2009), Lucas Matthysse (2013), and Danny Garcia (2015).
Avanesyan became an interim WBA Weltereweight world champion in November 2015, when he defeated Charlie Navarro by ninth-round TKO. He defended that crown in May when he won a unanimous decision against five-time world champ Shane Mosley.
A 29-year-old Russian, Avanesyan’s only career loss occurred in his second fight on July 11, 2009 by unanimous decision to Jr Lightweight challenger Andrey Klimov.
Avanesyan: "It is a great pleasure for me to be defending my world title in the U.S. against a very good opponent in Lamont Peterson. I am the champion, and come February 18, I will remain champion."
"This fight gives me a great opportunity to let the U.S. know what I’m about and put me in a position to fight the top fighters in the division. This will be a difficult defense, but I am ready to show everyone how good I am."
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